Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
A hearty and comforting Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole featuring tender shredded chicken, smoky crispy bacon, creamy ranch dressing, and golden tater tots baked to perfection. Easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners or potlucks, this dish combines crispy textures with creamy, cheesy layers for a satisfying meal with minimal fuss.
- Author: Kaeli
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup ranch dressing (preferably full-fat)
- 6 slices crispy bacon, crumbled
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Prepare the Chicken and Bacon: Start by cooking your chicken until tender using your preferred method, such as boiling, roasting, or using leftover rotisserie chicken. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, then crumble it into bite-sized pieces to add smoky flavor and texture to the casserole.
- Mix the Creamy Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, ranch dressing, sour cream or cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated and creamy.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a casserole dish and spread the creamy chicken mixture evenly inside. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the mixture to ensure they crisp up beautifully during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the assembled casserole for 35 to 40 minutes or until the tater tots are golden and crispy, and the casserole is hot and bubbling throughout. This step melds all the flavors and textures together perfectly.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor.
- Lay tater tots in a single layer to maximize crispiness on top.
- Assemble the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate to let flavors meld for enhanced taste.
- For extra cheesiness, sprinkle additional cheddar or mozzarella on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Choose full-fat dairy products like ranch dressing and sour cream for a richer, creamier casserole.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole, Tater Tot Casserole, Comfort Food, Family Dinner, Easy Casserole, One Dish Meal