Description
This loaded potato ranch chicken casserole brings comfort straight to your dinner table with creamy, cheesy goodness that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Hearty chicken, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning meld together in a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for family meals or potluck gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup olive oil
Garnish and Topping:
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ½ cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and toss 4 cups of diced potatoes with ¼ cup olive oil, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until every potato chunk is evenly seasoned.
- Spread the seasoned potato mixture across the prepared baking dish and roast for 20 minutes, using a spatula to stir them halfway through cooking.
- While potatoes are roasting, season 1.5 pounds of diced chicken breasts with a pinch of salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning.
- Pull the partially cooked potatoes from the oven and arrange the seasoned chicken pieces evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and ½ cup of crumbled bacon over the chicken and potato layers.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, ensuring the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese becomes golden and melted.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to settle the flavors.
- Drizzle ½ cup of ranch dressing over the top and garnish with ¼ cup chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
- Swap out regular potatoes for sweet potatoes if tracking lower carbs or wanting a nutritional boost.
- Ensure chicken is cut into uniform pieces to guarantee even cooking throughout the casserole.
- Consider using turkey bacon for a lighter version or omit bacon completely for a vegetarian adaptation.
- Prep all ingredients before starting helps streamline the cooking process and makes assembly smooth and quick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 446 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 730 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg