Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this hearty Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole with Potatoes, blending creamy textures and bold flavors. Cheesy layers and crispy bacon promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Starches:
- 3 russet potatoes
Flavor Enhancers and Dairy:
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F and thoroughly coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Generously season chicken breasts with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until a rich golden brown develops on all sides, then remove and dice into bite-sized cubes.
- Prepare potato mixture by tossing diced potatoes with olive oil and ranch seasoning, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Spread seasoned potatoes across the prepared baking dish in a single layer to promote even cooking.
- Roast potatoes in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring midway to achieve crispy edges and tender centers.
- While potatoes cook, whisk together sour cream, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, and additional ranch seasoning to create a creamy sauce.
- Crumble cooked bacon into small pieces, preparing to layer with the other ingredients.
- Once potatoes are tender, layer diced chicken and crumbled bacon across the potato base.
- Pour the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the chicken, bacon, and potato layers, ensuring complete coverage.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top turns golden and the edges become bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Make chicken extra juicy by brining it in saltwater for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance moisture and tenderness.
- Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon to reduce fat content and create a lighter version of the casserole.
- Cut potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked.
- Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a protein-packed, lower-calorie alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg