Ultimate Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
Make the ultimate comfort food: Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole! This easy recipe features a creamy chicken and bacon filling topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
(Based on 1x column)
Casserole Base & Topping:
- ▢ 6 slices of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (or microwave bacon)
- ▢ 4 cooked and shredded chicken breasts (about 3-4 cups shredded)
- ▢ 1 (32 oz) bag of frozen tater tots
- ▢ 1 ½ cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
Ranch Cream Sauce:
- ▢ 3 tbsp butter (salted or unsalted)
- ▢ 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ▢ 1 cup milk (whole or 2% recommended)
- ▢ 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- ▢ Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare Oven and Cook Bacon/Chicken (if needed):
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- If using raw bacon, cook it in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet, drain on paper towels, and then crumble or chop.
- If not using pre-cooked chicken, cook and shred your chicken breasts. Set the prepared chicken and bacon aside.
2. Make the Ranch Cream Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook, whisking constantly, for about 1 minute to create a smooth roux.
- Gradually whisk in the 1 cup of milk. Continue cooking and whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble gently.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the 1/2 cup of ranch dressing.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that the bacon, chicken, ranch, and cheese will also add saltiness.
3. Combine Chicken, Bacon, and Sauce:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, the crumbled cooked bacon, and the prepared ranch cream sauce.
- Mix well until the chicken and bacon are evenly coated with the sauce.
4. Assemble the Casserole:
- Spread the chicken and bacon mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single, even layer over the chicken mixture, covering it completely.
- Sprinkle the 1 ½ cups of shredded mild cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the tater tots.
5. Bake:
- Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes.
- The casserole is done when the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the filling is heated through.
6. Rest and Serve:
- Let the Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole cool for a few minutes (5-10 minutes) before serving. This allows the creamy filling to set slightly.
- Slice or scoop into portions and serve hot. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy, and crunchy goodness!