Cracked Chicken Casserole

• servings: 8 servings
• active time: 30 minutes
• total time: 1 hour

Ingredients

1½ cups dry elbow macaroni

3 tablespoons butter

1 small yellow onion, (diced)

2 cups sour cream

4 ounces cream cheese, (softened)

10 ½ ounces cream of chicken soup, (undiluted)

¼ cup milk or half-and-half

1 ounce ranch dressing seasoning packet

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon onion powder

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, (divided in half)

3 cups skinless boneless chicken breast, (cooked and cubed)

16 slices bacon, (cooked and diced, this measures 1½ cups once cooked)

1 green onion, (sliced thin)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish.

Fill a medium-sized saucepan ¾ of the way with water. Bring to a low rolling boil and add the elbow macaroni. Cook the macaroni until it is all done. Drain the macaroni and set it aside.

In a medium-sized skillet, add the butter and diced onions. Cook over medium to high heat, stirring the onions with a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking for about 5 to 7 minutes. They should be translucent and starting to turn golden/light brown. Remove from the heat and set aside.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk or half-and-half, and package of ranch dressing powder.

Using a handheld mixer, combine the sour cream mixture on medium speed until creamy.

Continue mixing on low and add the kosher salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Mix until well combined.

Transfer the sour cream mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked macaroni, cubed chicken breast, cooked yellow onion, 1½ cups of cheddar cheese, and ¾ cup of cooked bacon. Using a large wooden spoon, stir until all the ingredients are completely combined.

Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, and the thinly sliced green onion.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top layer of cheese is melted and gooey.

Nutrition

• Calories: 566 kcal
• Total Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 156 mg
• Sodium: 1422 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Total Sugars: 2 g
• Protein: 43 g