Craving a cozy, creamy, and flavor-packed meal? This Crazy Good Chicken Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, loaded with cheesy pasta, crispy bacon, and tender chicken in every bite.
Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this dish brings together pantry staples in a hearty bake that’s impossible to resist. One bite, and you’ll see why it’s earned its name.
What You’ll Need for This Crazy Good Chicken Casserole
- Chicken breasts – Tender, juicy chunks of protein anchor the dish with satisfying substance.
- Cheddar cheese – Melty, sharp cheddar gives this casserole its rich, gooey personality.
- Bacon – Crispy, smoky bites of bacon add irresistible crunch and depth.
- Cream of chicken soup – This creamy binder turns the casserole irresistibly rich and comforting.
- Spiral pasta – Spirals hold onto all that cheesy, saucy goodness in every forkful.
- Garlic powder – A flavor booster that ties the savory elements together.
- Roma tomato – Fresh diced tomato adds just a hint of brightness to balance the richness.
How to Make It All Come Together
Start by frying your bacon to crispy perfection—then crumble and set aside. In the same skillet, cook the chicken until golden and seasoned, soaking up that bacon essence.
Boil your spiral pasta until just al dente—remember, it’ll keep cooking in the oven. Once drained, mix it with your cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, diced tomato, and half the cheese.
Pour the creamy mixture into a casserole dish, then top with bacon crumbles and the rest of the cheddar. Bake until bubbly and golden. Right before serving, a sprinkle of green onions brings freshness and color.
Tips, Tricks & Tasty Variations
To make the most out of this recipe, use rotisserie chicken as a shortcut—it shreds easily and adds extra flavor. If you’re craving more veggies, toss in frozen peas or corn during the last few minutes of pasta boiling. Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack if you want a spicier twist.
Love heat? Stir in a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes. Prefer it milder? Use Swiss or mozzarella for a more mellow cheese pull.
This casserole also makes an excellent meal prep recipe. The flavors deepen after a day in the fridge, and it reheats like a dream.
Keep It Fresh: Storage Tips for Crazy Good Chicken Casserole
Once cooled, transfer leftovers into airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave or pop the entire dish in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
For freezing, store the baked casserole in a freezer-safe container, tightly wrapped. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating in the oven. This keeps the texture of the pasta intact and the cheese beautifully melty.
Crazy Good Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1 large Roma tomato diced
- 1 16-ounce box spiral pasta, uncooked
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cooked bacon strips crumbled
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- Sliced green onion for garnish
Instructions
- Render and crumble the bacon in a skillet, then remove and set aside. In the same pan, sauté the chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces, seasoning them with garlic powder, salt, and pepper during cooking.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. While the oven heats, prepare the pasta according to package instructions until just al dente, then drain and return to the pot.
- Stir in the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, diced tomato, and half of the shredded cheddar. Blend thoroughly.
- Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly distribute the crumbled bacon and remaining cheese over the top.
- Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Once baked, finish with a sprinkling of green onions before serving.
