Description
Mouthwatering chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole combines hearty ingredients for a comforting meal. Creamy ranch sauce and crispy bacon elevate this crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (710 ml) chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 ½ cups (340 g) cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
- 1 (32 oz / 907 g) bag frozen tater tots
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 (10.5 oz / 298 g) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- 1 (1 oz / 28 g) packet ranch dressing mix
- ½ cup (120 ml) green onions, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep Proteins: Thoroughly season chicken and cook until fully done, then chop or shred into uniform bite-sized pieces. Simultaneously, crisp bacon in a separate pan until achieving a perfect crackly texture, then crumble into small fragments.
- Layer Foundation: In a spacious baking dish, create a comprehensive base layer by spreading seasoned chicken evenly, then distribute crispy bacon pieces across the surface for textural contrast.
- Moisture and Binding: Generously drench the chicken and bacon mixture with ranch dressing, ensuring complete and uniform coverage. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese to create a melty, cohesive blanket that will interconnect all ingredients.
- Tater Tot Topping: Strategically arrange frozen tater tots in a precise, overlapping pattern to completely cover the cheese layer, maximizing potential for a crisp, golden exterior.
- Baking Process: Slide the casserole into a preheated oven at 375F (190C), allowing ingredients to meld and transform. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, watching for a rich, amber-brown coloration and bubbling cheese landscape. After removing from oven, let the dish rest briefly to consolidate flavors.
- Serve: Plate immediately as a robust main course, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or an additional ranch drizzle to enhance visual appeal and flavor complexity. Pair with crisp, fresh vegetable sides for a balanced meal.
Notes
Manage Raw Chicken Safely: Always use separate cutting boards and wash hands thoroughly to prevent cross-contamination during chicken preparation.
Optimize Bacon Crispness: Pat bacon dry before cooking and use medium heat to achieve perfect crispy texture without burning or becoming greasy.
Control Moisture Levels: Drain excess liquid from chicken and bacon to prevent a soggy casserole bottom and maintain the desired crispy tater tot crust.
Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute regular ingredients with low-fat cheese, turkey bacon, or gluten-free tater tots for healthier or restricted diet variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 552
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1065 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg