It's easy to overly complicate your dinner recipes in search of delicious flavors. Some might think that the more ingredients piled into a dish, the more flavorful it's bound to be. Luckily for us, this philosophy has been disproved time and time again with incredibly simple and fabulously delicious recipes that call for five ingredients or even fewer. A simple chicken casserole with a few fantastic dish-mates is really all you need to produce an amazing meal that is sure to delight the whole family.
The trick to producing mouthwatering meals with only a few low-budget ingredients is sticking to classic flavor combinations that have been tried and tested. Using traditional flavor combinations is the best place to start, as these brilliant food pairings often require little to no additional ingredients. Chicken, bacon, ranch dressing and cheddar cheese are four flavors that have been delighting our palates for generations, and when combined simply and with care, these four ingredients are all you need to produce a wholesome and delicious bacon ranch chicken casserole—perfect for any family meal.
Chicken Bacon Ranch CasseroleIngredients2 chicken breasts
4 slices smoked bacon
4 to 5 tablespoons ranch dressing (store-bought is fine)
1 1/4 cups shredded cheese blend (such as cheddar, Swiss and mozzarella, or buy a premixed package)
1 teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste
Directions 1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. Arrange the chicken breasts in a greased casserole dish. Pour the ranch dressing over each one of them.
3. Cover each breast with two slices of bacon. Top with the cheese blend.
4. Bake for approximately 35 to 40 minutes.
Pro tip: Leave the chicken casserole uncovered while baking. This ensures that the bacon remains crispy and that there will be a golden cheesy crust.
Pro tip: Garnish with freshly chopped scallions, and serve with a fresh salad or steamed broccoli.
