Description
Comfort meets convenience in this chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole, blending hearty ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dish. Crispy tots, savory chicken, and creamy ranch come together, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) cooked chicken, shredded
- 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) ranch dressing
Accompaniments and Seasonings:
- 32 ounces (907 grams) frozen tater tots
- 3 green onions, chopped
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal environment for a perfectly golden and bubbling casserole.
- In a large mixing bowl, blend shredded chicken with cream cheese, ranch dressing, half the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and half the chopped bacon. Season with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Spread the chicken mixture evenly across a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish, ensuring uniform coverage and maximum taste distribution.
- Carefully arrange frozen tater tots in a single, uniform layer atop the chicken mixture, creating a crispy foundation for the dish.
- Generously scatter the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the tater tots, guaranteeing a luxuriously melted cheese coating.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, watching for golden-brown tater tots and completely melted, bubbling cheese.
- Remove from oven and immediately garnish with the remaining chopped bacon and green onions, adding a final layer of texture and fresh flavor.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving, letting the ingredients settle and flavors meld together perfectly.
Notes
- Swap frozen tater tots with cauliflower tots for a lower-carb option that maintains the crispy texture and flavor profile.
- Create a dairy-free version by using dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and plant-based cheese substitutes to accommodate lactose-intolerant guests.
- Enhance protein content by adding extra shredded chicken or mixing in diced cooked turkey for a heartier meal that keeps you satisfied longer.
- Reduce sodium and calories by using low-fat cream cheese, reduced-sodium ranch dressing, and turkey bacon instead of traditional bacon while preserving the dish’s delicious essence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 80mg