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The Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole! – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

The Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole!

This Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is the definition of comfort food. Tender shredded chicken and crisp broccoli florets in a creamy, savory cheese sauce packed with ranch and smoky bacon, all baked under a blanket of bubbly, golden-brown cheddar. This dish is incredibly e
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 449

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp (28 g / 0.99 oz) butter
  • ¼ cup (28 g / 0.99 oz) cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 2 ½ cups / 283g (10 oz) cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
  • 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) heavy whipping cream
  • ½ oz (14 g / 0.49 oz) ranch seasoning mix (about ½ a packet)
  • ⅔ cup (160 ml / 5.4 fl oz) chicken broth
  • 1 ½ cups / 128g (4.5 oz) small broccoli florets
  • 2 cups (310 g / 10.9 oz) cooked chicken breast, shredded
  • Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken to save on prep time. Simply shred the meat and you're ready to go!
  • For a perfect texture, steam your broccoli until it's tender-crisp, not mushy. It will continue to cook in the oven.
  • Feel free to add other low-carb veggies like cauliflower, mushrooms, or spinach to the mix for extra nutrients and flavor.

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F / 177°C. Lightly grease a 9x9 inch or similar-sized casserole dish. 2.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
  3. Whisk in the crumbled bacon, ½ cup of the cheddar cheese, softened cream cheese, heavy cream, ranch seasoning, and chicken broth until the sauce is smooth and fully combined. 3.
  4. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to thicken. 4.
  5. While the sauce simmers, lightly steam the broccoli florets in the microwave or on the stovetop until just tender-crisp. Be careful not to overcook. 5.
  6. Remove the sauce from the heat.
  7. Stir in the shredded chicken and steamed broccoli until everything is evenly coated in the creamy sauce. 6.
  8. Pour the mixture into your prepared casserole dish and spread it into an even layer.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups (480 ml) of cheddar cheese over the top. 7.
  10. Bake for 25 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the edges are bubbling. 8. For a perfectly golden, crispy top, switch the oven to a high broil and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  11. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning! 9.
  12. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps it set up for easier serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 449kcalCarbohydrates: 2.3gProtein: 31.3gFat: 33.5g

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