Description
This Chicken Bacon Crunch Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and crunchy comfort food masterpiece. Packed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a golden cornflake topping, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 8 strips beef bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups corn flakes, slightly crushed
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Substitution Ideas:
- Swap chicken breasts for thighs for more flavor and moisture
- Greek yogurt can replace sour cream for a lighter option
- For a gluten-free version, ensure your condensed soup is certified gluten-free
- Try different cheese combinations like Monterey Jack and Colby for varied flavors
- Rice Krispies or crushed potato chips can substitute for corn flakes in the topping
Instructions
- Prepare Your Kitchen: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, then crumble when cool. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the pan.
- Prepare the Chicken Mixture: In the same skillet with the reserved bacon fat, sauté onions and bell peppers for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chicken cubes and cook until just done, about 5-6 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Create the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix until smooth, then fold in the chicken mixture, 1½ cups of the cheese, and three-quarters of the bacon crumbles.
- Prepare the Crunch Layer: In a separate bowl, combine the crushed corn flakes with melted butter and the remaining bacon.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the chicken mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining ½ cup cheese, then sprinkle the cornflake-bacon mixture evenly across the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the top is golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This lets the layers set and flavors meld together.
Notes
For extra richness, mix some cream cheese into the creamy base. Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time. Be sure to crush the corn flakes gently to maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: chicken bacon casserole, crunch casserole, easy dinner recipe, comfort food