Cozy Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this loaded potato ranch chicken casserole that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Crispy edges and creamy centers blend perfectly in this crowd-pleasing dish.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among golden potato chunks, creating a mouthwatering symphony of flavors.

Ranch seasoning adds a zesty kick that elevates every single bite.

Cheese melts into rich, golden pools across the top, promising irresistible texture and warmth.

Weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings will never be the same with this incredible one-pan wonder.

Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that turns simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need for Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole

• Potatoes: Hearty foundation that provides a satisfying texture and absorbs delicious seasonings, choose firm, waxy potatoes for best results.
• Olive Oil: Helps crisp and flavor potatoes, ensures even coating and golden-brown edges.
• Garlic Powder: Adds robust, aromatic flavor without raw garlic intensity.
• Onion Powder: Introduces subtle savory undertones and depth to potato seasoning.
• Paprika: Brings warm, slightly sweet color and mild peppery notes to the dish.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance overall flavor profile.

• Chicken: Lean protein that creates a substantial main course, select boneless, skinless chicken breasts for consistent cooking.
• Ranch Dressing: Tangy coating that tenderizes chicken and infuses creamy, herbal flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Melty, gooey layers that provide rich, comforting texture and golden-brown topping.

• Bacon: Crispy, salty element that adds smoky crunch and intense flavor contrast.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish that introduces color and light herbal notes.

Tools That Make Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for tossing potatoes with seasonings and coating chicken with ranch dressing.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Perfect for spreading potatoes and assembling the entire casserole.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.
• Cutting Board: Needed for dicing potatoes and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Used for chopping potatoes and cutting chicken.
• Cheese Grater (optional): Helpful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for mixing ingredients and spreading in the baking dish.

How to Put Together Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400F. Grab a 9×13 baking dish and give it a quick spray of cooking oil.

• Potato Power Prep

Tumble diced potatoes with a flavor explosion of spices. Spread these golden gems across the baking dish in an even layer.

• First Potato Roast

Let the potatoes dance in the oven for 20-25 minutes until they’re getting soft and dreamy.

• Chicken Ranch

Lovingly coat chicken pieces in creamy ranch dressing, making sure every morsel is deliciously covered.

• Layer and Cheese It Up

Pull out the partially cooked potatoes and nestle the ranch-coated chicken on top. Rain down a shower of cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the entire dish.

• Final Bake Blast

Slide the casserole back into the oven for another 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s perfect when the chicken hits 165F and the cheese transforms into a bubbling golden blanket.

• Bacon Bliss Finish

Rescue the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle crispy bacon crumbles across the top and shower with fresh parsley. Serve immediately and watch everyone dive in!

Mix-Ins to Try in Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole

• Prep the entire casserole up to the final baking stage, cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes weeknight dinners a breeze!
• Easily substitute chicken with turkey, lean ground beef, or plant-based protein alternatives for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
• For extra-crispy potato edges, par-boil diced potatoes for 3-4 minutes before tossing with seasonings and baking. This trick ensures perfectly golden, crunchy exteriors.
• Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets or butternut squash cubes to create a keto-friendly version of this comforting casserole.
• Add a kick by incorporating red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños for those who love a little heat in their meal.

Serve Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole Family Style

• Family Feast Companion: Pair this hearty casserole with a crisp green salad to balance the rich, cheesy flavors and add some fresh nutrition.
• Weekend Comfort Plate: Serve alongside steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus to bring a light vegetable element that complements the potatoes and chicken.
• Brunch Bonus Style: Top individual servings with a dollop of sour cream and extra chopped green onions for an added layer of creamy, zesty goodness that enhances the ranch dressing profile.
• Crowd-Pleaser Presentation: Offer warm crusty bread or garlic toast on the side to help soak up the delicious cheesy sauce and provide a perfect accompaniment to this filling meal.

Storing and Reheating Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole

• Prepare this loaded potato ranch chicken casserole on weekends to enjoy quick, delicious meals throughout the busy workweek. Store individual portions in airtight containers for convenient grab-and-go lunches.
• Keep leftover casserole in sealed containers and consume within 3-4 days. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain optimal freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual servings tightly in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven at 350F to restore original crispy texture and flavor.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed casserole in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent cheese from burning and ensure even heating. Add a sprinkle of extra cheese before reheating for enhanced flavor and moisture.

FAQs

• Is the ranch dressing homemade or store-bought?

Store-bought ranch dressing works perfectly for this recipe. You can use any brand of ranch dressing that you enjoy.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s recommended to use thawed chicken to ensure even cooking and proper temperature throughout the dish. Always thaw chicken in the refrigerator before preparing.

• What type of potatoes work best for this casserole?

Russet or Yukon gold potatoes are ideal because they hold their shape well and provide a creamy texture when baked. Cut them into consistent, bite-sized cubes for even cooking.

• Do I need to pre-cook the bacon before adding it to the casserole?

Yes, cook the bacon until crispy before crumbling it over the casserole. This ensures a crunchy texture and prevents soggy bacon on top of the dish.

Hearty Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole blends comfort food classics with zesty ranch flavors. Crispy bacon, melted cheese, and tender chicken create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 4 medium russet potatoes, diced into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup ranch dressing
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to 400F (200C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray for effortless food release.
2. Potato Foundation: Massage diced potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, ensuring each cube absorbs the robust seasoning profile, then spread evenly across the baking dish.
3. Initial Roasting: Dispatch potatoes into the heated oven for 20-25 minutes, cultivating a tender core while maintaining structural definition.
4. Chicken Preparation: Luxuriously enrobe chicken pieces in ranch dressing, guaranteeing complete coverage of the protein with the creamy, herbaceous coating.
5. Casserole Assembly: Retrieve the partially roasted potato base, carefully nestle ranch-drenched chicken atop the potato landscape, and cascade a lavish layer of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses across the entire surface.
6. Final Transformation: Return the constructed casserole to the oven for an additional 20-25 minutes, allowing the chicken to reach a safe 165F internal temperature while the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
7. Garnish and Serve: Crown the dish with crisp, crumbled bacon and a delicate sprinkle of fresh parsley, then present immediately to showcase the harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Notes

Optimize Potato Cutting: Dice potatoes uniformly into equal-sized cubes (around 1/2 inch) to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture variations across the casserole.

Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exact 165F internal temperature, ensuring safe consumption while maintaining juicy tenderness without overcooking.

Cheese Melting Strategy: Allow cheese to rest for 2-3 minutes after removing from oven, enabling perfect melting consistency and preventing immediate liquid cheese dispersion when serving.

Dietary Adaptation Techniques: Substitute regular ranch with Greek yogurt ranch for lower-fat version, use turkey bacon for leaner protein, or replace chicken with plant-based alternatives like tofu for vegetarian adaptation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 80mg