Description
Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole with a Crispy Topping is the perfect combination of creamy, cheesy, and savory comfort food. With tender chicken, smoky bacon, crispy tater tots, and a rich ranch-flavored sauce, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Whether for a family dinner or a potluck, this casserole will have everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups Colby-Monterey Jack cheese blend, shredded (divided)
- 1 ounce ranch dressing & seasoning mix
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Sauté the Onion
- Heat the vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and fragrant.
- Prepare the Chicken Mixture
- In a medium bowl, combine the cooked onion, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, 1 cup of shredded cheese, 2 tablespoons of ranch seasoning mix, and black pepper.
- Stir until smooth and creamy, then gently fold in the shredded chicken.
- Assemble the Casserole
- Spread half of the frozen tater tots in a single layer at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Spoon the chicken mixture evenly over the tater tots.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup of crumbled bacon on top of the chicken layer.
- Season and Top the Casserole
- Place the remaining tater tots in a large resealable plastic bag.
- Add the remaining ranch seasoning mix to the bag, seal, and shake to coat the tater tots evenly.
- Arrange the seasoned tater tots on top of the casserole.
- Bake the Casserole
- Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese, and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tater tots are golden and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with the remaining crumbled bacon and fresh chives.
- Serve warm and enjoy the layers of creamy, cheesy, crispy goodness!
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor.
- For extra crispy tater tots, bake them for a few minutes before assembling the casserole.
- Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend for a unique flavor.
- Add veggies like bell peppers or broccoli for added nutrition and color.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American