Description
Hearty chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole delivers comfort food magic straight from midwestern kitchens. Crispy potato gems, savory chicken, and creamy ranch blend into one irresistible dinner that makes you crave seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 6 slices bacon, cooked
- 32 ounces (907 grams) frozen tater tots
- 1.5 cups (210 grams) shredded mild cheddar cheese
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) ranch dressing
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
Seasoning and Thickening Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Additional Ingredient:
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by cooking through your preferred method, then shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks or a hand mixer.
- Crisp the bacon in a skillet until golden and crunchy, then crumble into small fragments.
- Craft the ranch sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over gentle heat, whisking in flour to create a smooth roux.
- Slowly incorporate milk into the roux, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming, and cook until the mixture thickens and becomes velvety.
- Infuse the sauce with ranch dressing, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and create easy release.
- Distribute the shredded chicken evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish as the base layer.
- Lavishly pour the creamy ranch sauce over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle the first portion of cheddar cheese to create a melty foundation.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a uniform, single layer across the cheese, creating a crispy potato topping.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and bake the casserole uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the tater tots transform into golden, crunchy perfection.
- Generously top with remaining cheddar cheese and scattered bacon crumbles.
- Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese and create a bubbling, appetizing surface.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld and settle.
- Slice into portions and serve immediately, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or an extra drizzle of ranch dressing.
Notes
- Customize chicken cooking by using rotisserie chicken for a time-saving shortcut and extra flavor.
- Swap frozen tater tots with cauliflower tots for a lower-carb alternative that still provides a crispy texture.
- Create a gluten-free version by using cornstarch instead of flour in the ranch sauce and selecting gluten-free ranch dressing.
- Enhance meal prep by assembling the casserole ahead of time and refrigerating until ready to bake, which can save valuable cooking time during busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg