One Pot Crack Chicken Casserole

That is the form of consolation meals that goals are manufactured from! It’s a taste bomb of tacky pasta, hen, crispy bacon, and a creamy ranch-infused sauce. One-pot meals are really life-changing—not only for their comfort, but additionally for the minimal cleanup (whole win!). This crack hen casserole checks all these containers. Plus, it’s so scrumptious, that it’s downright addicting! That is one meal you’ll need to make repeatedly.

Or strive the unique dish with our gradual cooker crack chicken recipe.

Say goodbye to infinite prep work and a sink stuffed with dishes! This one-pot meal delivers daring flavors and a severely satisfying dish very quickly—all made in a single pot. Whereas this recipe is already a breeze to make, you may make it even easier through the use of precooked hen and bacon. It’s good for any event, whether or not it’s a busy weeknight dinner with the household or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish. This can be a meal everybody will probably be raving about!

Ingredient Notes

• Boneless Skinless Hen Breasts: You possibly can substitute with boneless skinless hen thighs with out adjusting the cooking time.
• Olive Oil: Use olive oil or your favourite impartial flavored cooking oil.
• Hen Broth: Go for low-sodium broth to raised management the salt content material and taste. You possibly can at all times salt to style later.
• Penne Pasta: Any model will work completely right here.
• Dry Ranch Seasoning: make your own like we do to regulate the flavour, or use a kind of handy 1-ounce packets.
• Cream Cheese: Dice it for faster and extra even melting.
• Bacon: Freshly cooked bacon is right, however jarred bacon crumbles are a handy various that also ship nice taste.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar is our favourite, however you’ll be able to combine issues up with pepper jack or mozzarella.
• Inexperienced Onions: Elective, however they add a pop of colour and visible attraction for individuals who eat with their eyes first.

Utilizing Pre-Cooked Hen

Utilizing pre-cooked hen makes this dish even simpler to whip up. Seize a rotisserie hen from the shop and shred it up. It’s already seasoned and tender, making it an ideal match for this casserole. You’ll want about 4 cups, which is roughly one medium hen. You can too use pulled hen from the deli or leftover hen that you just’ve chopped up.

Cooking The Noodles in Broth

This one-pot trick isn’t only a time-saver—it’s a taste maker! Right here’s the key: cooking the pasta proper in the identical pot with hen broth. Not solely does it save time (as a result of who desires further dishes?), however it additionally makes the pasta downright scrumptious.

Because the pasta cooks, it releases a few of its pure starch, which helps thicken the sauce. Which means further creamy, dreamy perfection with out a ton of labor. No separate pot, no ready for water to boil, no stress. All the pieces occurs in a single pot, and that’s simply the best way we prefer it.

Fast Ideas for Success

Give the pasta a stir at times so it doesn’t follow the underside of the pan.

Keep watch over the liquid—if the pasta is thirsty and soaking it up too shortly, add a splash extra broth or water to maintain issues transferring.

Prepare dinner the pasta simply till it’s al dente because it’ll bake within the oven later. No person desires mushy pasta, proper?

Pan Choices

You want an oven-safe pan to make this a one-pot choice because it begins on the stovetop and finishes within the oven. You should use a 3.5 quart braiser pan, an oven-safe deep skillet, or a 6-quart enameled forged iron dutch oven.

No Oven-Protected Pan? No Drawback!: In case your stovetop pan isn’t oven-safe, you’ll be able to nonetheless make this recipe. After mixing the whole lot collectively, switch the pasta combination to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish earlier than topping it with cheese and baking. It’s an additional step, however the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious!