🍗 Slow Cooker Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken
Creamy, savory, and incredibly satisfying.
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Prep time: 15 minutes
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Cook time: 4–6 hours (Low) or 3 hours (High)
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Servings: 6–8 people
🛒 Ingredients
| Category | Item | Quantity |
| Protein | Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed) | 2 lbs |
| Base | Condensed cream of chicken soup | 1 can (10.5 oz) |
| Dairy | Sour cream | 1 cup |
| Seasoning | Dry Ranch dressing mix | 1 packet (1 oz) |
| Flavor | Crumbled cooked bacon | 1/2 cup |
| Cheese | Shredded sharp cheddar cheese | 2 cups |
| Pasta | Rotini or Penne pasta (cooked & drained) | 16 oz |
| Garnish | Sliced green onions | For topping |
👩🍳 Instructions
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Layer the Chicken: Place the cubed chicken in the bottom of a greased 6-quart slow cooker.
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Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and ranch seasoning. Pour this mixture over the chicken.
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Slow Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 4–6 hours or High for 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
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Add the Finishers: Stir in the cooked pasta, 1.5 cups of the cheddar cheese, and half of the bacon. Mix well to ensure the pasta is coated in the sauce.
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Melt & Serve: Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon on top. Cover for another 5–10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
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Garnish: Top with fresh green onions and serve warm.
💡 Notes & Tips
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Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Boil your pasta al dente (slightly firm) before adding it to the slow cooker. It will soften further as it sits in the sauce.
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The Bacon Secret: For the best texture, use freshly fried bacon rather than pre-packaged bits.
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Thinning the Sauce: If the casserole looks too thick after adding the pasta, stir in a splash of milk or chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
🥗 Nutritional Info (Per Serving)
Estimate based on 8 servings.
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Calories: 540 kcal
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Protein: 38g
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Total Fat: 26g
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Carbohydrates: 42g
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Sodium: 980mg
✨ The Benefit
This recipe is a powerhouse for high-protein meal prepping. Because it uses the slow cooker, the chicken remains juicy rather than drying out, and the flavors actually deepen if you eat it as leftovers the next day. It’s also a great “hidden vegetable” vehicle—you can easily toss in a bag of frozen peas or broccoli during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
❓ Common Q&A
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: It’s safer to thaw chicken first to ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature quickly enough in the slow cooker. If you must use frozen, increase the cook time by 1-2 hours.
Q: Can I make this low-carb?
A: Absolutely! Skip the pasta and serve the cheesy chicken mixture over steamed cauliflower, zucchini noodles, or simply eat it as a thick stew.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a teaspoon of water or milk to keep the sauce creamy.