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A delicious Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is shown as the featured image for the recipe.

Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that combines crispy tater tots, savory chicken, smoky bacon, and creamy ranch dressing. It's easy to prepare and bake, making it a perfect weeknight meal for the whole family to enjoy.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • Chopped green onions, for garnish optional
  • Hot sauce, for a kick optional

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • large skillet
  • Large bowl
  • whisk
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven
  • cutting board
  • Knife or Kitchen Shears

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. If cooking your own chicken, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until cooked through and cooked juices run clear, seasoning with garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing mix, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk until smooth.
  4. Add the shredded chicken and most of the crumbled bacon (reserve a little for topping!) to the ranch sauce mixture. Stir until everything is well combined.
  5. Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
  6. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the chicken mixture, covering the entire surface.
  7. Sprinkle 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
  10. Sprinkle the remaining crumbled bacon and the reserved cheddar cheese (the other 1/2 cup) over the top. Garnish with chopped green onions, if desired. A little sprinkle of hot sauce on top adds a fantastic kick, too!

Notes

For extra crispy tater tots, par-bake them for 10-15 minutes before adding them to the casserole. The casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. Variations: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the ranch sauce for a spicy kick. Sneak in some finely chopped vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or onions. Experiment with different cheeses! Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella would all be delicious. Swap out the chicken for ground beef or ground turkey.