Description
Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole brings comfort food magic to dinner tables with its hearty blend of crispy potatoes, tender chicken, and creamy ranch. Savory bacon and melted cheese create an irresistible layer of flavor that promises to satisfy hungry families in one delicious, satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Base:
- 4 chicken breasts (cooked, shredded)
- 6 slices bacon (cooked, crumbled)
- 32 ounces (907 grams) frozen tater tots (do not thaw)
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups shredded mild cheddar cheese (divided for topping)
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening sauce)
Seasoning:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and fully cook chicken breasts, then shred into bite-sized pieces.
- Create a creamy sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in flour until smooth, and gradually incorporating milk while stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper, then blend in ranch dressing until completely integrated for a rich, tangy flavor.
- Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.
- Distribute shredded chicken evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish as the first layer.
- Pour the creamy ranch sauce over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese over the sauce to create a melty foundation.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a neat, uniform layer across the entire surface of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until tater tots turn golden and crispy around the edges.
- While the casserole bakes, cook bacon until crisp, then crumble into small pieces.
- Remove the casserole from the oven, top with crumbled bacon and remaining cheddar cheese.
- Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese and crisp the bacon.
- Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set and prevent burning.
- Cut into squares and serve hot, enjoying the combination of crispy tots, creamy sauce, and savory bacon.
Notes
- Prep ahead saves time by cooking chicken and bacon earlier in the day.
- Frozen tater tots work perfectly, eliminating extra potato preparation steps.
- Low-fat alternatives like Greek yogurt can replace some ranch dressing for healthier version.
- Crispier tots emerge when spread in single layer without overcrowding baking dish.
- Customize flavors by adding diced jalapeños or switching cheese varieties for personal twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 602 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1046mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg