The Coziest Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole that promises to satisfy every craving.

Layers of crispy potatoes, tender chicken, and smoky bacon create a delightful harmony of flavors.

Creamy ranch seasoning weaves through each bite, adding a tangy kick to this hearty dish.

The casserole combines simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal that works perfectly for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Cheese melts into golden pools, blanketing the crisp tater tots with irresistible richness.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of textures and savory goodness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to wow your table with this irresistible, no-fuss comfort classic that brings pure deliciousness to dinnertime.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole: Crowd-Pleasing Perks

• Combines irresistible flavors of chicken, bacon, ranch, and crispy tater tots that guarantee smiles around the dinner table.
• Simple preparation steps and minimal ingredients make this dish perfect for busy families seeking a delicious meal without complicated cooking techniques.
• Easily adaptable recipe allows swapping ingredients or adding extra toppings like green onions or jalapeños to match personal taste preferences.
• Eliminates multiple pots and pans, reducing kitchen cleanup and providing a complete meal with protein, carbohydrates, and cheesy goodness in a single baking dish.

Ingredients for Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender protein that adds substance and flavor to the casserole.
• Bacon: A crispy and savory ingredient that provides a rich, smoky taste to the dish.

• Butter: Creates a smooth base for the creamy sauce.
• Milk: Helps to develop a rich and velvety sauce texture.
• Ranch Dressing: Adds a tangy and herbal flavor profile to the casserole.
• Cheddar Cheese: A melty and sharp cheese that provides a delicious topping and extra creaminess.

• Flour: Helps to thicken the sauce and create a smooth consistency.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the dish.

• Frozen Tater Tots: A crispy and convenient potato base that adds a satisfying crunch to the casserole.

Kitchen Tools for Tater Tot Casserole Night

• Baking Dish: 9×13-inch rectangular dish for layering and baking the casserole.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious bowl for combining chicken, bacon, and ranch sauce.
• Saucepan: Medium-sized pan for making the creamy ranch sauce.
• Whisk: Essential for smoothly blending flour, milk, and sauce ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cutting Board: Surface for preparing and shredding chicken.
• Sharp Knife: For slicing and shredding chicken breasts.
• Paper Towels: To drain and pat crispy bacon dry.

Baking Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350F (175C).

This will ensure everything cooks perfectly.

Step 2: Crisp Up The Bacon

Cook your bacon until it reaches that perfect crispy texture.

Once done, let it drain on paper towels and then crumble it into delicious bite-sized pieces.

If using microwave bacon, follow the package directions and crumble after cooking.

Step 3: Prepare The Chicken

Cook your chicken breasts and shred them into tender, juicy pieces.

Set these aside for the next step.

Step 4: Whip Up The Creamy Sauce

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.

Sprinkle in the flour and whisk for about a minute.

Slowly pour in the milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture becomes thick and smooth.

Remove from heat and stir in the ranch dressing.

Season with salt and pepper to give it that perfect flavor kick.

Step 5: Layer The Casserole

• Shredded chicken
• Crumbled bacon
• Ranch sauce

Mix everything together thoroughly.

Spread this delicious mixture evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Create a layer of frozen tater tots on top, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the entire surface.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Pop the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

You’re looking for golden brown, crispy tater tots and melted, bubbly cheese that’s irresistibly delicious.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Let the casserole cool for a few minutes, then dig in!

This comfort food masterpiece combines crispy, creamy, and cheesy flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips for Crisp, Golden Tater Tot Toppings

• Arrange frozen tots in a single, tight layer for maximum crunchiness and even browning.
• Use thick-cut bacon for deeper flavor and crispier texture that adds incredible richness to the casserole.
• Whisk continuously while adding milk to prevent lumps and create a silky, creamy sauce base.
• Prepare the entire casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
• Replace chicken with turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken for easy variation and quick preparation.

Flavorful Variations for Tater Tot Casseroles

• Vegetarian Veggie Delight: Replace chicken with plant-based protein like tofu, tempeh, or vegetarian chicken substitute. Use vegetable bacon or mushroom bacon bits for smoky flavor.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. Use gluten-free tater tots and verify ranch dressing is gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Crunch: Substitute tater tots with roasted cauliflower florets. Use cauliflower rice as base layer to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Replace milk with unsweetened almond or coconut milk. Use dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.

What to Serve with Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

• Ranch Party Platter: Serve alongside fresh green salad with crisp vegetables to balance the rich, creamy casserole flavors.
• Comfort Companion: Add garlic bread or warm dinner rolls to soak up the delicious ranch sauce and complement the crispy tater tots.
• Veggie Boost: Top with chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, or sliced jalapeños for extra color, freshness, and a pop of additional flavor.
• Family Style Feast: Create a casual dinner night by placing the entire casserole in the center of the table and letting everyone serve themselves with a large serving spoon.

Keeping Tater Tot Casserole Fresh and Tasty

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the casserole is completely cooled before sealing.
• Transfer casserole to a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date and contents.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Remove casserole from refrigerator, let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent burning, bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of meat in this casserole?

Yes, you can substitute shredded rotisserie chicken, ground turkey, or even pulled pork instead of chicken breasts for variety.

• Is it possible to make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

• How can I make this recipe more budget-friendly?

Use leftover cooked chicken, buy bacon when it’s on sale, and look for store-brand ranch dressing and cheese to reduce overall cost. Frozen tater tots are typically inexpensive and make this a wallet-friendly meal.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole delivers comfort and flavor in one satisfying dish. Ranch-seasoned layers combine creamy textures with crispy potato tots, creating a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 4 cooked and shredded chicken breasts
• 6 slices of cooked bacon (or microwave bacon)

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 3 tablespoons butter

Base and Thickeners:

• 32 ounces (907 grams) bag of frozen tater tots
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for the casserole’s baking process.
2. Render bacon until crisp and golden, then pat dry and crumble into small pieces. For convenience, pre-cooked bacon works equally well.
3. Transform chicken breasts into tender shreds by cooking thoroughly, ensuring no pink remains visible.
4. Craft a velvety ranch sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour, creating a roux. Gradually incorporate milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and smooths out. Remove from heat and blend in ranch dressing, seasoning with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
5. Integrate shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, and prepared ranch sauce in a large mixing bowl, blending ingredients until evenly distributed. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating an uniform base layer.
6. Strategically arrange frozen tater tots across the chicken mixture in a single, organized layer. Generously scatter shredded cheddar cheese over the tot surface, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Look for golden-brown tater tots and completely melted, bubbling cheese as indicators of perfect doneness.
8. Allow the casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from oven, which helps set the layers and intensifies flavors before serving.

Notes

• Swap out tater tots for cauliflower or sweet potato tots to create a lower-carb alternative that still delivers incredible flavor and crunch.
• Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation method that saves time without compromising taste and texture of the casserole.
• Consider adding diced green onions or chives on top for a fresh burst of color and additional layer of flavor complexity after baking.
• For a gluten-free version, replace regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when making the ranch sauce to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg