Description
Indulge in this ultimate comfort food staple that brings together juicy cubed chicken breast, tender elbow macaroni, and a luxurious, velvety cheese sauce. Spiked with savory Ranch seasoning and topped with crispy turkey bacon, this casserole is a crowd-pleasing favorite. Perfectly balanced with fresh green bell peppers and onions, it is hearty enough for cold winter nights yet simple enough for a busy weeknight family dinner.
Ingredients
3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
12 slices turkey bacon, diced
1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tbsp paprika
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 medium onion, diced
2 tbsp minced garlic
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 package (1oz) Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix
8 oz cream cheese, softened
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
Boil the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente, then drain.
In a large skillet over medium heat, fry the turkey bacon until crispy; remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika until golden and cooked through; remove and set aside.
In the skillet, melt the butter and add onions and bell peppers, cooking until softened, then add garlic.
Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute before gradually whisking in the milk until thickened.
Stir in the Ranch mix, cream cheese, and 2 cups of the cheddar cheese until smooth.
Combine the cooked pasta, chicken, bacon, and sauce in the baking dish.
Top with remaining 2 cups of cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can prep the entire casserole ahead of time, keep it refrigerated, and add an extra 10 minutes to the bake time when cooking from cold.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg