Luxury Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

• 3 cups  uncooked elbow
  macaroni

Bacon:

• 2 tablespoons  butter


• 12 slices  bacon  (diced into 1-2 inch pieces)

Chicken:

• 1.5-2 lbs  uncooked
  chicken  (cubed)


• 1/4 teaspoon  salt


• 1/4 teaspoon  ground
  black pepper


• 1/2 tablespoon 
  paprika

Veggies:

• 1  green bell
  pepper  (diced)


• 1 medium  onion  (diced)


• 2 tablespoons  minced
  garlic

Cheesy Mixture:

• 3 tablespoons  butter


• 1/3 cup  all-purpose
  flour


• 3 cups  milk


• 1 package  Dry Ranch
  Mix  (optional)


• 1 package  (8oz) cream
  cheese  (room temperature)


• 3 cups  shredded
  Cheddar cheese


• 1 can  (10 3/4 oz)
  cream of chicken soup, condensed

Toppings:

•  Cooked bacon


• 1 cup  shredded
  cheddar cheese


• 1/4 cup  panko crispy
  bread crumbs  (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F.


2. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package.

Cook Bacon:

1. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, melt two
   tablespoons of butter and cook the bacon, stirring frequently, until crispy.
   Remove from skillet and set aside. Drain grease, leaving only about 2
   tablespoons in the skillet.

Cook Chicken:

1. Add the cubed chicken to the skillet, season with salt,
   pepper and paprika. Cook stirring frequently, until golden and no longer pink
   in the center. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Cook Veggies:

1. Add diced onion, diced bell pepper and minced garlic to the
   skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and tender.
   Remove from skillet and set aside.

Cheesy Mixture:

1. In same skillet, on medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter
   over medium heat. Stir in flour with whisk until a paste forms.


2. Gradually stir in milk, beating with the whisk.


3. Stir in Ranch Mix if using.


4. Stir in condensed cream of chicken soup and cream cheese
   until fully combined.


5. Stir in 3 cups of cheddar cheese. Remove from heat.

Combine:

1. In a large bowl combine: cooked pasta, chicken, veggies and
   cheese mixture. Stir well to combine and transfer to a 13×9-inch (3-quart)
   baking dish.


2. Top with the cooked bacon, 1 cup shredded cheese and
   sprinkle some bread crumbs on top if desired.

Bake:

1. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until mixture is bubbly and cheese
   is fully melted.


2. Serve and enjoy!

0 Calories: 958 Carbohydrates: 58 Protein: 40 Fat: 62
Saturated Fat: 30 Cholesterol: 188 Sodium: 1172 Potassium: 590 Fiber: 2 Sugar:
8 Vitamin A: 1710 Vitamin C: 13.6 Calcium: 577 Iron: 2.7

This article and recipe adapted from this site