Description

This Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole is a comforting and flavorful one-dish meal featuring tender diced chicken, crispy roasted potatoes seasoned with ranch and spices, melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and a drizzle of creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for a family dinner or potluck, this casserole combines classic flavors into a hearty and satisfying dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
4 medium russet potatoes, diced (about 4 cups)
1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon

Garnishes

1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup ranch dressing (for drizzling)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and prepare for baking.
Season Potatoes: In a large bowl, combine diced potatoes, olive oil, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat potatoes evenly with the seasoning mixture.
Arrange Potatoes: Spread the seasoned potatoes out evenly in the prepared baking dish to ensure they roast uniformly.
Start Roasting Potatoes: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through to promote crisping and even cooking around the edges.
Season Chicken: While potatoes roast, season diced chicken with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of ranch seasoning mix for added flavor.
Add Chicken to Potatoes: After 20 minutes, take the baking dish out of the oven and distribute the seasoned chicken pieces evenly over the roasted potatoes.
Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the chicken and potatoes to create a gooey, cheesy layer.
Top with Bacon: Evenly spread the crumbled cooked bacon over the cheese layer for added crunch and savory flavor.
Bake Until Done: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temp of 165°F) and cheese is melted and bubbly.
Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set and cool slightly.
Garnish and Drizzle: Drizzle ranch dressing over the casserole and sprinkle with chopped green onions for freshness and extra flavor.
Serve: Serve the casserole hot and enjoy this hearty, flavorful dish.

Notes

Adjust salt according to taste and dietary needs.
Use freshly cooked bacon for best flavor and crispness.
To save time, you can cook the chicken separately if preferred.
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the potato seasoning.
Make sure to check chicken’s internal temperature to ensure food safety.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dinner, Casserole
Method: Baking, Roasting
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
Calories: 520
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 750mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole, chicken casserole, ranch seasoning, baked chicken and potatoes, cheesy chicken casserole, comfort food, loaded potato casserole