Description
This BBQ Ranch Chicken Casserole is a quick and comforting meal made with tender chicken, creamy ranch, smoky BBQ sauce, pasta, and melted cheese. Ideal for busy weeknights or easy family dinners, this dish is loaded with flavor and simple to customize with pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces bowtie pasta
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or pre-cooked)
- ½ cup chopped cooked bacon or real bacon pieces
- 2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or cheese blend
- 15 ounces canned corn, drained
- 10 ounces Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chiles), undrained
- 7 ounces diced green chiles, undrained
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced onions
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F to warm up while you prepare the casserole ingredients.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook the bowtie pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix the Ingredients: In the same bowl with the pasta, add cooked shredded chicken, bacon, shredded cheese, corn, Rotel, green chiles, ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, and minced onions. Mix well until everything is evenly coated with the sauces.
- Transfer to Casserole Dish: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. If desired, sprinkle more cheese on top for extra cheesiness.
- Bake Until Hot and Melty: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the dish is heated through and the cheese is fully melted and bubbling on top.
Notes
- To avoid overcooked pasta, cook it slightly under al dente since it will continue baking. For a lighter version, you can use turkey bacon and reduced-fat cheese. If you’re using fresh chicken instead of pre-cooked, make sure it’s fully cooked through—no pink should remain in the center, and juices should run clear. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave. For a spicier version, use a hotter BBQ sauce or pepper jack cheese.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked Casserole
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 1077
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 951mg
- Fat: 87g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 64g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 89mg