Ranch Chicken Casserole

This Cheesy Casserole Hits All the Right Notes

Warm, satisfying, and full of ranch flavor—what’s not to love?

There’s something about the combo of creamy ranch sauce and cheesy noodles that just hits right. It’s familiar but not boring, and it has just enough savory bacon to keep everyone coming back for seconds.

This is one of those “save it to make again” kind of recipes.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. egg noodles, cooked
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1½ pounds chicken breasts, cubed (uncooked)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 packet dry ranch seasoning mix
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• ½ cup milk
• 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• ¼ cup chopped green onions
• Optional: freshly ground black pepper

How to Make Ranch Chicken Casserole

If you don’t already have bacon cooked, start there. I recommend baking it in the oven—lay the slices on a grate over a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for about 15 minutes, or until nice and crispy. This can take around 20–30 minutes from start to finish with oven preheating and everything, so it’s best to get it going first.

While the bacon is cooking, go ahead and boil the egg noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.

Lower your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook until no longer pink, seasoning it with garlic powder and onion powder as it browns. Once fully cooked, transfer the chicken to your prepared casserole dish.

In a mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, milk, ranch seasoning, and half of the crumbled bacon. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Pour this mixture over the chicken, then add the cooked noodles and stir everything together right in the dish.

Sprinkle the top with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and the rest of the bacon. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, until hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and golden.

Right before serving, sprinkle with chopped green onions (totally optional but it adds a nice fresh bite). Serve warm and enjoy!

Helpful Tips from My Kitchen

Ways to save time, switch things up, and make it your own

If you’re short on time, rotisserie chicken is a great swap and it cuts out an entire step and still gives you juicy flavor. You can also switch up the cheese based on what’s in your fridge: cheddar, mozzarella, or Colby Jack all work here.

Want to add a little something extra? Stir in some cooked broccoli or peas before baking.

What to Serve with a Chicken Casserole

Since this dish is already rich and creamy, I like to keep sides simple and colorful. Try oven-roasted broccoli with a drizzle of cheese sauce, sautéed green beans, or even just corn on the cob (microwaved if you’re in a rush).

A warm breadstick or roll is also a solid move.

Store It, Reheat It, Love It Again

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a covered dish in the oven at 300°F until warmed through.

More Cozy Chicken Casseroles to Try

Because you can never have too many cheesy dinner ideas

If this one’s a hit in your house, here are a few more easy, comforting casserole dinners to try next:

• Frito Chicken Casserole – Yes, the Fritos actually stay crunchy
• Million Dollar Chicken Casserole – Cream cheese makes this one extra rich and filling
• Dump-and-Bake Chicken Alfredo – No boiling noodles or pre-cooking anything—just layer and bake