Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

• 3 cups  uncooked elbow m�c�roni

B�con:

• 2 t�blespoons  butter
• 12 slices  b�con  (diced into 1-2 inch pieces)

Chicken:

• 1.5-2 lbs  uncooked chicken  (cubed)
• 1/4 te�spoon  s�lt
• 1/4 te�spoon  ground bl�ck pepper
• 1/2 t�blespoon  p�prik�

Veggies:

• 1  green bell pepper  (diced)
• 1 medium  onion  (diced)
• 2 t�blespoons  minced g�rlic

Cheesy Mixture:

• 3 t�blespoons  butter
• 1/3 cup  �ll-purpose flour
• 3 cups  milk
• 1 p�ck�ge  Dry R�nch Mix  (option�l)
• 1 p�ck�ge  (8oz) cre�m cheese  (room temper�ture)
• 3 cups  shredded Chedd�r cheese
• 1 c�n  (10 3/4 oz) cre�m of chicken soup, condensed

Toppings:

•  Cooked b�con
• 1 cup  shredded chedd�r cheese
• 1/4 cup  p�nko crispy bre�d crumbs  (option�l)

Instructions

1. He�t oven to 375�F.
2. Cook �nd dr�in m�c�roni �s directed on p�ck�ge.

Cook B�con:

1. In � l�rge skillet, over medium-high he�t, melt two t�blespoons of butter �nd cook the b�con, stirring frequently, until crispy. Remove from skillet �nd set �side. Dr�in gre�se, le�ving only �bout 2 t�blespoons in the skillet.

Cook Chicken:

1. �dd the cubed chicken to the skillet, se�son with s�lt, pepper �nd p�prik�. Cook stirring frequently, until golden �nd no longer pink in the center. Remove from skillet �nd set �side.

Cook Veggies:

1. �dd diced onion, diced bell pepper �nd minced g�rlic to the skillet �nd cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occ�sion�lly, until soft �nd tender. Remove from skillet �nd set �side.

Cheesy Mixture:

• In s�me skillet, on medium he�t, melt 3 t�blespoons butter over medium he�t. Stir in flour with whisk until � p�ste forms.
• Gr�du�lly stir in milk, be�ting with the whisk.
• Stir in R�nch Mix if using.
• Stir in condensed cre�m of chicken soup �nd cre�m cheese until fully combined.
• Stir in 3 cups of chedd�r cheese. Remove from he�t.

Combine:

1. In � l�rge bowl combine: cooked p�st�, chicken, veggies �nd cheese mixture. Stir well to combine �nd tr�nsfer to � 13x9-inch (3-qu�rt) b�king dish.
2. Top with the cooked b�con, 1 cup shredded cheese �nd sprinkle some bre�d crumbs on top if desired.

B�ke:

• B�ke for 20-30 minutes or until mixture is bubbly �nd cheese is fully melted.
• Serve �nd enjoy!

This article and recipe adapted from this site