Description
Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish combining tender chicken breast, crispy seasoned potatoes, smoky bacon, and melted cheddar cheese all baked to perfection. Infused with ranch dressing and aromatic spices, this casserole is a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 lbs chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 cup ranch dressing (divided)
Potatoes and Seasoning
- 2 lbs russet potatoes, diced
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the potatoes.
- Season Potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the diced potatoes with olive oil, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder until they are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Bake Potatoes: Spread the seasoned potatoes evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure they become slightly crispy on all sides.
- Marinate Chicken: While the potatoes bake, place the cubed chicken in a separate bowl and mix with half of the ranch dressing to coat well.
- Adjust Oven Temperature: After the potatoes are done, remove the dish from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) for the remainder of the cooking.
- Assemble Casserole: Evenly distribute the marinated chicken pieces over the baked potatoes in the dish.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the remaining ranch dressing evenly over the top of the chicken.
- Sprinkle Cheese: Generously top the casserole with shredded cheddar cheese, covering the chicken and potatoes.
- Bake Casserole: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Add Final Toppings: Remove the casserole from the oven and immediately sprinkle the cooked, crumbled bacon and thinly sliced green onions over the top for added flavor and texture.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes to allow it to set before serving. This helps with easier portioning and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh russet potatoes for the best texture and crispiness in the casserole.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the potato seasoning mix.
- You can substitute ranch dressing with a homemade ranch or a different creamy herb dressing if desired.
- To save time, cook bacon in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to crumble over the casserole.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead; assemble fully and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, adding a few extra minutes to baking time as needed.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cheese and light ranch dressing.
