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This Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is the answer to your comfort food cravings. It’s a wonderfully creamy and cheesy one pan meal that brings together savory chicken and bacon with a golden, crispy tater tot crust. This recipe is a guaranteed hit for busy weeknights or as the star dish at your next potluck gathering.
I first threw this together for a game night with friends, and it vanished from the dish in minutes. Now, it’s the most requested dish whenever we have people over.
Ingredients
- One 32 ounce bag frozen tater tots: These are the star of the show, providing a fluffy and crispy topping. Keep them frozen for the best texture.
- Three cups shredded cooked chicken: A rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut here, offering moist and flavorful meat with no effort.
- Six slices thick cut bacon: Cook it until it’s perfectly crispy, as it adds a salty, smoky crunch throughout the casserole.
- Two cups shredded mild cheddar cheese: I recommend shredding your own from a block. It melts so much better than the pre shredded kind.
- Two tablespoons unsalted butter: This is the base of our creamy sauce.
- Two tablespoons all purpose flour: This thickens the sauce, creating a rich, velvety consistency.
- One quarter cup milk: Whole or 2 percent milk works best to create a smooth and creamy sauce.
- One half cup good quality ranch dressing: This is the key flavor, so use a brand you really love.
- Salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste: Always season to your personal preference.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare for Baking:
- First things first, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. While it heats up, grab a 9x13 inch baking dish and give it a light coating of cooking spray or butter. This simple step ensures nothing sticks later.
- Create the Creamy Ranch Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the two tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once it’s fully melted, whisk in the flour. You need to cook this mixture, stirring constantly, for about one minute. This little step cooks out the raw flour taste and forms a roux, which is the foundation for a lump free sauce. Now, slowly pour in the milk while you keep whisking. Continue until the sauce becomes completely smooth and thickens up enough to coat the back of a spoon, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the ranch dressing, salt, and pepper.
- Combine the Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, the crispy chopped bacon, and one cup of your shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the warm, creamy ranch sauce you just made right over the top and stir everything together until the chicken and bacon are evenly coated in that delicious sauce.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Now for the fun part. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Then, spoon the chicken and bacon mixture evenly over the tater tots, spreading it gently to cover them completely. Finally, sprinkle the remaining one cup of cheddar cheese all over the top.
- Bake to Perfection:
- Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You'll know it's done when the cheese is completely melted and bubbling, and the top is a beautiful golden brown. I learned the hard way that you need to let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set up, so you can serve clean, perfect slices.
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My favorite part of this whole recipe is the bacon. Using thick cut bacon and cooking it until it's perfectly crisp is non negotiable in my house. It stays crunchy even after baking in the creamy sauce, adding a perfect salty bite. I’ll never forget my son trying to pick all the bacon bits out of his first serving.
Ingredient Substitutions
Don't be afraid to swap things out based on what you have. Monterey Jack or a Colby blend are great alternatives to cheddar cheese if you want a slightly different flavor. If you're not a fan of chicken, shredded turkey works just as well. For a little heat, you can even replace half of the ranch dressing with your favorite buffalo sauce to give it a spicy kick.
Storage and Reheating
Leftovers are one of the best parts of this casserole. Once it has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. When you're ready to reheat, you can use the microwave for a quick meal, but for the best results, I always pop it back in the oven. A few minutes at 350 degrees will help the tater tots get crispy again.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole is hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own. However, since it's so rich and savory, I love to serve it with something fresh and green to balance the plate. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette or a serving of steamed green beans or broccoli cuts through the richness perfectly and adds a nice bit of color.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I get the tater tots extra crispy?
Arrange the frozen tater tots directly from the freezer onto the bottom of the dish. Avoid thawing them first to ensure maximum crispiness during baking.
- → Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
While you can use pre-shredded cheese, shredding your own cheese from a block provides a better melt. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents.
- → Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You might need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.
- → What are some variations I can try?
Experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack or Colby. For a leaner option, try shredded turkey instead of chicken. For a spicy kick, substitute half the ranch dressing with buffalo sauce.
- → How should I store leftovers?
Cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.
- → What side dishes pair well with this?
This is a hearty, rich dish, so a simple side of steamed green beans, broccoli, or a green salad provides a nice contrast.