Loaded Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Broccoli Casserole
This hearty casserole combines tender chicken, crisp broccoli, creamy ranch sauce, gooey cheddar, and crispy bacon for the ultimate comfort food dinner. Quick to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes (or rotisserie chicken)
- 3 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch seasoning mix
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 8 strips bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy (8-10 minutes). Transfer to paper towels, cool, and chop.
- Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes. Steam or microwave broccoli florets until just tender (3-4 minutes for fresh, 2 minutes for thawed frozen).
- In a large bowl, whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, milk, garlic powder, and salt & pepper until smooth.
- Add diced chicken and steamed broccoli to the bowl. Fold in 1 cup cheddar cheese and stir until coated.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread chicken-broccoli mixture evenly in the dish.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese over the top. Scatter chopped bacon and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and casserole is hot throughout.
- Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes for a crispy top, watching closely.
- Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
For best results, soften cream cheese before mixing. Use freshly grated cheddar for smoother melting. Drain broccoli well to avoid watery casserole. You can prep the casserole ahead and bake just before serving. Leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze well for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 820
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 9
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 31
Keywords: chicken casserole, bacon ranch casserole, cheddar broccoli casserole, easy family dinner, comfort food, gluten-free casserole, low carb casserole