Easy & Healthy Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble Up: Your New Favorite Meal Prep Casserole

Creating new “Bubble Up” recipes has become a culinary passion of mine. They are incredibly easy to prepare, can be surprisingly healthy, and offer an irresistible versatility that suits any occasion. In my home, these dishes have quickly transformed into a go-to simple meal that everyone adores, helping me stay on track with my health and fitness goals. This particular Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble Up shares a similar flavor profile with my popular Chicken Ranch Spaghetti Bake. However, while the spaghetti bake is perfect for feeding a large crowd or when you’re craving something more carb-heavy, this Bubble Up recipe is designed for those seeking a lighter, healthier option – making it absolutely ideal for satisfying lunches or efficient weekly meal preparation.

What is a Bubble Up Casserole?

For those unfamiliar, a “Bubble Up” casserole is a delightful, family-friendly dish characterized by its use of canned biscuit dough. The dough is typically cut into smaller pieces and mixed with various savory ingredients – in this case, a creamy, flavorful chicken and bacon mixture. As the casserole bakes, the biscuit pieces “bubble up” through the sauce, creating a wonderful, fluffy texture that’s both fun to eat and incredibly satisfying. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a comforting, hearty meal with minimal effort, often resulting in a golden-brown top and a tender, saucy interior. This method makes for an inventive twist on traditional casseroles, providing both substance and a unique texture that stands out.

Many of my Bubble Up recipes, including this one, traditionally call for 7.5oz biscuit packs. While these can sometimes be a bit tricky to find in all grocery stores these days, don’t let that deter you! You can easily adapt the recipe by simply weighing out 7.5 oz of any standard biscuit dough you can find. Alternatively, if you have a larger pack, feel free to use all of the biscuit dough you have on hand. If you’re tracking points or calories, a simple adjustment can be made using a nutrition app or the Weight Watchers App Recipe Creator to accurately update the nutritional values for your serving size. It’s a straightforward process that ensures your meal remains perfectly aligned with your dietary goals.

Three Irresistible Reasons to Make This Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble Up!

1. Incredibly Low in Calories and Packed with Flavor

Finding a healthy casserole that’s both delicious and sits comfortably under 500 calories – let alone under 300 calories per serving – can feel like a culinary quest. This Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble Up meets that challenge head-on! Each generous serving contains approximately 250 calories, allowing you to indulge in rich, satisfying flavors without any guilt. The secret lies in using lean shredded chicken, light shredded mozzarella, fat-free sour cream, and the potent flavor of ranch seasoning mix instead of high-calorie ranch dressing. You’ll be amazed at how much savory goodness is packed into every bite, instantly falling in love with its taste and impressive nutritional profile.

2. Your Ultimate Meal Prep Companion

Life can get hectic, and having nutritious, prepped meals ready to go is a game-changer. This casserole is not only incredibly easy to assemble but also yields six satisfying servings, making it an absolute star for your weekly meal prep routine. Imagine spending just a little time on a Sunday afternoon to whip up this dish, and then having healthy, flavorful lunches sorted for the entire workweek. It stores beautifully in the fridge, maintaining its delicious taste and texture for days. Say goodbye to sad desk lunches and hello to a meal that makes healthy eating effortlessly convenient.

3. Proving That Diet Food Can Be Delicious

The misconception that “diet food” must be bland and boring is shattered by this recipe. We all crave those classic comfort food flavors, and ranch is undeniably one of them. By strategically using a dry ranch seasoning mix, we capture all that beloved tangy, savory goodness without the heavy calorie count associated with traditional ranch dressing. This smart ingredient swap dramatically slashes calories and fat content, ensuring your meal is bursting with a familiar, crowd-pleasing taste, all while supporting your healthy lifestyle. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor to eat well.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Craft This Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble Up:

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful casserole. Most items are pantry staples or easily found at your local grocery store. For the best results in terms of both flavor and health, opt for the specified low-fat and fat-free options where applicable. The combination of these components creates a harmonious balance that’s both indulgent and mindful.

• 1 (7.5 oz) biscuit pack (see tips below for alternatives)
• 8 oz cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!)
• 1 (28 g) ranch seasoning mix package (Hidden Valley is a popular choice)
• ¾ cup 1% low-fat milk
• 5 oz light shredded mozzarella (Trader Joe’s light mozzarella is a good option)
• ¼ cup fat-free sour cream
• 5 slices Oscar Mayer center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled (or other low-point bacon)
• Chopped green onion, optional (for garnish and a fresh bite)

How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble Up: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple instructions to create a mouth-watering Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble Up casserole that will become a regular in your meal rotation. Precision in each step ensures a perfectly cooked, flavorful dish.

1. Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to a steady 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, lightly spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with a nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent sticking and make for easier serving.
2. Biscuit Base: Carefully open your biscuit pack. Take each biscuit and cut it into approximately 6 equal pieces. Spread these dough pieces evenly over the bottom of your prepared casserole dish. Don’t worry if they don’t completely cover the bottom; they will expand as they bake.
3. Mixing the Filling: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the cooked, shredded chicken, the entire ranch seasoning mix package, fat-free sour cream, 1% low-fat milk, and half of the light shredded mozzarella (about 2.5 oz). Stir everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and the chicken is fully coated. The mixture should have a creamy, pourable consistency, but shouldn’t be overly thick.
4. Assembling the Casserole: Using a spoon, dollop generous spoonfuls of the chicken mixture over the biscuit pieces in the casserole dish. Gently spread the mixture to ensure an even layer and that as many biscuit pieces as possible are covered. This allows the dough to “bubble up” into the savory sauce.
5. Final Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining 2.5 oz of light shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the chicken mixture. Then, scatter the cooked and crumbled bacon pieces over the cheese. If using, sprinkle the chopped green onion over everything for a fresh aromatic finish.
6. Baking: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the biscuit pieces are golden brown, puffed up, and cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Cut the casserole into 6 equal servings. Each serving will typically weigh about 6.5-7 oz. Serve warm and savor every delicious, comforting bite!

This recipe yields 6 servings. Here’s the approximate nutrition information for one serving: Calories 258, Fat 11 g, Saturated fat 5 g, Carbs 19 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Sugars 4 g, Sodium 768 mg, Protein 19 g. Please remember that nutritional values can vary based on specific brands and ingredients used.

Weight Watchers Points Breakdown

For those following the Weight Watchers program, this Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble Up is a fantastic, point-friendly option. Here’s a breakdown of the points for each ingredient, helping you understand how this delicious meal fits into your plan. The total points per serving are calculated using the latest WW app recipe creator:

• Biscuit dough: 26 points
• Cooked, shredded chicken: 0 points
• Ranch seasoning dip package: 2 points
• 1% low-fat milk: 3 points
• Light shredded mozzarella: 9 points
• Fat-free sour cream: 1 point
• Center cut low-point bacon: 5 points
• Green onion: 0 points

This results in approximately 7 points per serving based on the WW app recipe creator.

If you are using an older version of Weight Watchers, here are the estimated points:

• SP Freestyle: 5 points (using WW recipe builder)
• Smart Points: 6 points (using SP calculator)
• Points Plus: 6 points (using PP calculator)

Customizing Your Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble Up: Tips for Variation & Success

One of the best aspects of Bubble Up recipes is their adaptability. Feel free to experiment with these ideas to tailor the casserole to your taste preferences or what you have on hand.

• Homemade Ranch Seasoning: If you prefer to avoid store-bought mixes or want to control the ingredients, you can easily create your own ranch seasoning. A blend of onion powder, onion flakes, dried dill, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried chives will mimic that classic ranch flavor beautifully. Adjust ratios to your liking.
• Bacon Alternatives: If center-cut low-point bacon isn’t available, you can still use regular bacon. Just use a few slices, cook them until very crispy, and crumble them finely. Spreading the smaller pieces evenly across the casserole ensures you get that bacon flavor in every bite without adding excessive calories. Turkey bacon is also a viable lean alternative.
• Fresh Herb Toppings: While green onions add a fantastic fresh bite, if they’re not your favorite or you don’t have them, fresh chopped parsley or cilantro make excellent alternatives. They add a pop of color and a fresh herbaceous note that complements the rich flavors of the casserole.
• Boost Your Veggies: To make this meal even more wholesome and add extra fiber, consider incorporating diced bell peppers (any color), finely chopped broccoli, or even some sautéed mushrooms into the chicken mixture. Just ensure any added vegetables are finely diced and cooked slightly if they have a high water content, to avoid making the casserole watery.
• Chicken Options: For ultimate convenience, a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken works wonderfully for this recipe. Simply shred the meat and you’re good to go. If cooking from scratch, boil or bake chicken breasts and then shred them.
• Biscuit Dough Handling: For the best “bubble up” effect and even cooking, I recommend cutting each biscuit in half horizontally first, then cutting each half into 3 pieces, resulting in 6 smaller dough pieces per biscuit. This maximizes the surface area for the sauce to cling to and ensures a tender, fully cooked dough throughout.
• Finding Biscuit Packs: As mentioned, 7.5 oz biscuit packs can sometimes be elusive. Keep an eye out for Walmart’s Great Value Brand, which often carries a value 4-pack where each tube is conveniently 7.5 oz – a perfect fit for this recipe!
• Freezing for Future Meals: This Chicken Bacon Ranch Bubble Up casserole freezes exceptionally well. It’s an excellent candidate for making a larger batch, portioning it into aluminum pans, and freezing for later. I recommend freezing it *after* it’s been cooked. Simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven until warmed through. These frozen casseroles also make thoughtful gifts for new parents or as a welcome dish for housewarming parties.

Serving Suggestions for Your Bubble Up

This casserole is a complete meal on its own, offering protein, carbs, and a touch of dairy. However, if you’re looking to round out your meal or add some extra freshness, here are a few ideas:

• Green Salad: A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is a perfect complement, adding crunch and freshness.
• Steamed Vegetables: Serve alongside steamed green beans, asparagus, or a medley of colorful vegetables to boost your micronutrient intake.
• Light Soup: A clear broth-based soup can make for a heartier meal without adding too many extra calories.

Similar Healthy & Delicious Recipes You’ll Love:

If you enjoyed the simplicity and flavor of this Bubble Up, be sure to check out these other fantastic recipes from my kitchen:

• Smoked Chicken Legs That Anyone Can Make
• Top 17 Healthy Snacks at Trader Joe’s
• These Baked Pizza Burritos Are The Snacks To End All Snacks