Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked elbow m�c�roni
B�con:
- 2 t�blespoons butter
- 12 slices b�con (diced into 1-2 inch pieces)
Chicken:
- 1.5-2 lbs uncooked chicken (cubed)
- 1/4 te�spoon s�lt
- 1/4 te�spoon ground bl�ck pepper
- 1/2 t�blespoon p�prik�
Veggies:
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 2 t�blespoons minced g�rlic
Cheesy Mixture:
- 3 t�blespoons butter
- 1/3 cup �ll-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 p�ck�ge Dry R�nch Mix (option�l)
- 1 p�ck�ge (8oz) cre�m cheese (room temper�ture)
- 3 cups shredded Chedd�r cheese
- 1 c�n (10 3/4 oz) cre�m of chicken soup, condensed
Toppings:
- Cooked b�con
- 1 cup shredded chedd�r cheese
- 1/4 cup p�nko crispy bre�d crumbs (option�l)
Instructions
- He�t oven to 375�F.
- Cook �nd dr�in m�c�roni �s directed on p�ck�ge.
Cook B�con:
- In � l�rge skillet, over medium-high he�t, melt two t�blespoons of butter �nd cook the b�con, stirring frequently, until crispy. Remove from skillet �nd set �side. Dr�in gre�se, le�ving only �bout 2 t�blespoons in the skillet.
Cook Chicken:
- �dd the cubed chicken to the skillet, se�son with s�lt, pepper �nd p�prik�. Cook stirring frequently, until golden �nd no longer pink in the center. Remove from skillet �nd set �side.
Cook Veggies:
- �dd diced onion, diced bell pepper �nd minced g�rlic to the skillet �nd cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occ�sion�lly, until soft �nd tender. Remove from skillet �nd set �side.
Cheesy Mixture:
- In s�me skillet, on medium he�t, melt 3 t�blespoons butter over medium he�t. Stir in flour with whisk until � p�ste forms.
- Gr�du�lly stir in milk, be�ting with the whisk.
- Stir in R�nch Mix if using.
- Stir in condensed cre�m of chicken soup �nd cre�m cheese until fully combined.
- Stir in 3 cups of chedd�r cheese. Remove from he�t.
Combine:
- In � l�rge bowl combine: cooked p�st�, chicken, veggies �nd cheese mixture. Stir well to combine �nd tr�nsfer to � 13x9-inch (3-qu�rt) b�king dish.
- Top with the cooked b�con, 1 cup shredded cheese �nd sprinkle some bre�d crumbs on top if desired.
B�ke:
- B�ke for 20-30 minutes or until mixture is bubbly �nd cheese is fully melted.
- Serve �nd enjoy!
This article and recipe adapted from this site