Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Rice Casserole - Sunday Supper

Maybe it was the holidays or the fact that, since the kids were out of school, I actually had a few mintues of "down time" here and there over the last two weeks. Maybe it was just that I'm tired of always making the same old recipes over an over. Or, maybe it was all the holiday baking and eating! Whatever the reason, I've been in a  Pinterest-y mood lately and, for me, that usually means perusing recipes trying out a few new ones. Sometimes, in the process, I stumble across one that simply must be shared with all of you.

This is one of those recipes!!

It has chicken, cheese, bacon, and ranch - what more should you ask for?!?! 

This one really was a hit with my family. It was pretty simple to make and it made a huge pan full. I've added in a fe little tweaks of my own and decided it might be the perfect addition to you menu this week, too! Enjoy!

Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

~2 cups uncooked rice

~12 oz raw chicken, cut into bit size pieces (about 4 boneless breasts)

~1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

~8 oz. sour cream

~1 packet ranch dressing mix

~1 cup shredded cheese, plus extra for topping

~1/4-1/2 cup chopped bacon (about 6 slices)

~1 medium onion, chopped

~1/2 cup chicken broth or water

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9X13 baking dish with non stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Cook the rice according to package directions.

Step 3: While the rice is cooking, heat some oil in a skillet, season your chicken with salt & pepper, and brown until cooked through. Using a slotted spoon, remove chicken from pan and place in a large mixing bowl.

**You could skip this step and use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken.

Step 4: In same skillet, add bacon and cook until crispy. Using slot spoon, remove to bowl with chicken. 

Step 5: In leftover bacon grease in same skillet, add onion and cook until tender and translucent. Use slotted spoon to add to the large mixing bowl.

Step 6: In mixing bowl with chicken, bacon, and onion, add soup, sour cream, dressing mix, 1 cup cheese, and broth.

Step 7: By now, your rice should be finished, so add it to the bowl as well and str it all together. Then, transfer to your prepared pan and top with additional cheese.

Step 8: Bake in your preheated oven 20-25 minutes.

Step 9: Serve and enjoy!

What's on your menu this week?