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BBQ Chicken Bacon Casserole - Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Cooked chicken (about 4 cups, shredded or diced; rotisserie works great)
  • Thick-cut bacon (8 slices, cooked and crumbled)
  • Short pasta (12 ounces; penne, rotini, or shells)
  • BBQ sauce (1 to 1 1/4 cups; choose your favorite brand or homemade)
  • Cream cheese (4 ounces, softened)
  • Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (1/2 cup)
  • Shredded cheddar (2 cups; medium or sharp)
  • Shredded mozzarella (1 cup)
  • Red onion (1 small, finely diced)
  • Bell pepper (1, diced; any color)
  • Garlic (2 cloves, minced) or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon)
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)
  • Olive oil or butter (1 tablespoon, for sautéing)
  • Fresh parsley or green onions (for garnish, optional)
  • Nonstick spray (for the baking dish)

Method
 

  1. Prep and preheat: Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Cook the pasta: Boil in salted water until just shy of al dente. Do not overcook; it will finish in the oven. Drain and set aside.
  3. Crisp the bacon: Cook bacon in a skillet until golden. Drain on paper towels, then crumble. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat if you like extra flavor.
  4. Sauté the veggies: In the same skillet, add olive oil (or bacon fat). Cook the onion and bell pepper over medium heat until soft, 4–5 minutes. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  5. Make the creamy BBQ base: In a large bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth. Add smoked paprika and a few grinds of black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Mix the filling: Add cooked pasta, shredded chicken, sautéed veggies, and half the crumbled bacon to the bowl. Stir gently to coat everything in the sauce.
  7. Add the cheese: Fold in 1 1/2 cups cheddar and 1/2 cup mozzarella. The rest will go on top.
  8. Assemble: Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top. Finish with the remaining bacon.
  9. Bake: Bake uncovered for 18–22 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.
  10. Finish and serve: Let it rest for 5 minutes so it sets. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions. Serve with a simple salad or steamed veggies.