Tired of bland weeknight dinners? Craving something utterly delicious, satisfying, and incredibly simple to whip up? Get ready to meet your new favorite comfort food obsession: the Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole! This dish is a flavor explosion that brings together the best of creamy ranch, savory bacon, tender chicken, and fresh broccoli, all baked to bubbly perfection. It’s the kind of meal that disappears from the dish almost as fast as you can make it – and trust us, that’s pretty fast!

Whether you’re a busy parent, a culinary novice, or just looking for a fantastic low-carb option that doesn’t compromise on taste, this casserole ticks all the boxes. Say goodbye to complicated recipes and hello to effortless deliciousness!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Recipe

This isn’t just another casserole; it’s a culinary hug in a dish! Here are four irresistible reasons why this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen:

Effortless Simplicity: With a prep time of just 10 minutes, this casserole is designed for busy schedules. Most of your ingredients are “dump and stir,” making it almost foolproof.
Unbeatable Flavor Combo: Chicken, bacon, and ranch are a trio made in heaven! This casserole delivers a creamy, savory, and incredibly satisfying taste that even the pickiest eaters will adore.

Low-Carb & Healthy: Packed with protein and good fats, and low in carbs, this dish fits perfectly into a healthy eating plan without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. It’s a guilt-free indulgence!
Perfect for Any Occasion: From a quick weeknight dinner to a potluck showstopper, this casserole is versatile. It’s hearty enough to be a standalone meal and impressive enough to share.

Ingredients for Your Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Gather your delicious components, and let’s get ready to create some magic!

1.5 lbs cooked chicken (cubed or shredded)
1 lb fresh broccoli (steamed and drained, or thawed and drained if frozen)
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon dried dill weed or 1 tablespoon fresh dill

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons bacon crumbles
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
4 ounces sour cream
4 ounces mayonnaise
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

Detailed Step-by-Step Directions: How to Make Your Casserole

Ready to turn those fantastic ingredients into a mouth-watering masterpiece? Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying your Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole in no time!

Preheat & Prep: If you’re planning to bake your casserole right away, go ahead and preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). This recipe is also wonderful for making ahead, so feel free to chill it in the fridge for a day or two if you’re meal prepping!
Craft the Creamy Base: Grab a spacious mixing bowl. Add the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Now, it’s time for the flavor boosters: toss in the dried minced onion, parsley, garlic powder, dill (dried or fresh!), salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together enthusiastically until you have a gloriously smooth and perfectly combined creamy base.

Fold in the Goodies: Gently introduce your cooked chicken, the beautifully steamed (and well-drained) broccoli, three-quarters of your shredded cheddar cheese, and a quarter cup of those irresistible bacon crumbles into the creamy mixture. Use a spatula to fold everything together carefully, ensuring every piece of chicken and broccoli is lovingly coated in that dreamy ranch sauce.
Assemble for Baking: Lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pour your entire delicious mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it out evenly from edge to edge.
The Grand Finale Topping: Now for the crowning glory! Evenly sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Follow that with the last two tablespoons of bacon crumbles for an extra burst of savory goodness and a lovely textural contrast.

Bake to Perfection: Slide your casserole into the preheated oven. Let it bake for approximately 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the casserole is wonderfully bubbly around the edges, and the cheese on top has melted into a golden, irresistible crust. Remove from the oven, let it rest for a few minutes to set, and prepare for applause!

Creative Ways to Present and Serve Your Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

While this casserole is undeniably a star on its own, a little creativity in serving can make it even more delightful!

Classic Comfort: Serve generous scoops directly from the baking dish. It’s hearty enough to be a complete meal!

Green & Lean: Pair it with a simple, crisp green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette. The freshness will beautifully cut through the richness of the casserole.
Family-Style Feast: Present the entire bubbling dish at the center of your table, allowing everyone to serve themselves. It’s warm, inviting, and truly feels like home.
Individual Portions: For meal prep or a more formal presentation, you can scoop individual portions onto plates. A sprinkle of fresh chives or extra dill can add a pop of color.

Low-Carb Sides: Consider serving alongside a bowl of cauliflower rice, extra roasted asparagus, or sautéed spinach for an even more wholesome, low-carb meal.

Storing Your Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole and Its Shelf Life

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole stores wonderfully, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying throughout the week.

Refrigeration: Once cooled, transfer any leftover casserole to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: While creamy casseroles can sometimes alter in texture slightly upon thawing (the dairy might separate a bit), you can freeze this casserole. For best results, freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot throughout. For a larger portion or to regain some crispiness on the cheese topping, reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through, usually about 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of milk or broth if it seems a little dry.

FAQs About the Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Got questions? We’ve got answers to help you master this incredible dish!

Can I use raw chicken for this recipe?
No, the recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of *cooked* chicken. You’ll need to cook and shred or cube your chicken before adding it to the mixture. This could be boiled, baked, or rotisserie chicken.
What if I don’t like broccoli? Can I substitute it?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap broccoli for other low-carb vegetables like steamed cauliflower, sautéed spinach (ensure it’s well-drained), or even green beans.
Is this casserole truly keto-friendly?
Yes! With only 4.1g net carbs per serving, this recipe is perfectly suited for a ketogenic diet. It’s rich in fats and protein, keeping you satisfied.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Making it completely dairy-free would require significant substitutions for cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, which might alter the texture and flavor considerably. There are some plant-based alternatives available, but results may vary.
What kind of bacon crumbles should I use?
You can use pre-packaged bacon crumbles for convenience, or even better, cook your own bacon until crispy and then crumble it yourself for superior flavor.
Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, this is an excellent make-ahead meal! You can assemble the entire casserole (steps 1-5) and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. Just add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?
The casserole is fully cooked when it’s bubbly around the edges, and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden. Since all ingredients (except the dairy base) are already cooked, you’re essentially just heating it through and melting the cheese.
Can I add a crunchy topping?
For a low-carb crunch, you can mix crushed pork rinds with a little melted butter and sprinkle them over the top along with the cheese and bacon before baking. If carbs aren’t a concern, traditional breadcrumbs work too!
My sauce looks a little thin, what happened?
Ensure your broccoli is very well-drained after steaming. Excess water can thin out the creamy sauce. Also, using full-fat dairy products helps create a richer, thicker consistency.

How can I make this casserole spicier?
To add a kick, you can include a pinch of cayenne pepper in the cream cheese mixture, or sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the top before baking. A dash of hot sauce when serving also works!

Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

This easy and delicious low-carb casserole features tender chicken, fresh broccoli, a creamy ranch-inspired sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese. It’s perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings 8

Calories 516.2 kcal

Equipment

Large Bowl
9×13 inch Baking Dish
Cooking Spray

Ingredients

1.5 lbs cooked chicken (cubed or shredded)
1 lb fresh broccoli (steamed and drained, or thawed and drained if frozen)
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 tablespoon dried parsley
0.5 tablespoon garlic powder
0.5 tablespoon dried dill weed or 1 tablespoon fresh dill

0.5 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
3/8 cup bacon crumbles
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
4 ounces sour cream
4 ounces mayonnaise
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Get Ready: If you’re baking right away, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). You can also prepare this ahead and chill it in the fridge for a day or two!
Whip the Base: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, dried minced onion, parsley, garlic powder, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until it’s smooth and well combined.
Mix it Up: Gently fold in the cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, 3/4 of the shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/4 cup of the bacon crumbles into the creamy mixture. Make sure everything is evenly coated.

Assemble: Pour this delicious mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish that’s been lightly coated with cooking spray.
Top it Off: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese and the last 2 tablespoons of bacon crumbles evenly over the top.
Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly hot and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.

Notes

Nutrition Information (per serving):

Calories: 516.2 kcal

Total Carbs: 4.4 g

Net Carbs: 4.1 g

Fats: 38.7 g

Protein: 36.4 g