Description
Ranch-infused creamy chicken tater tot casserole delivers comfort on a plate. Crispy potato tots, tender chicken, and rich sauce combine for a satisfying family meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml/16 fl oz) shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 (10.5 oz/298 g) can cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups (480 ml/16 fl oz) cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 (32 oz/907 g) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 packet (1 oz/28 g) ranch seasoning mix
- ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) cooked, crumbled bacon (optional)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheating: Configure the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper into a cohesive, velvety sauce within a large mixing bowl.
- Chicken Integration: Gently fold shredded chicken and first portion of cheddar cheese into the seasoned sauce, ensuring uniform ingredient distribution.
- Assembly: Spread the chicken mixture evenly across the baking dish’s bottom, creating a smooth foundation for the tater tots.
- Tater Tot Layer: Arrange frozen tater tots in a precise, single layer completely covering the chicken mixture, maximizing crispy potential.
- Initial Baking: Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until tater tots turn golden and crisp.
- Cheese and Bacon Finale: Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon over the surface, returning to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese melts completely.
- Garnishing: Strategically scatter chopped green onions across the top, introducing a fresh visual and flavor element.
- Serving: Present the casserole immediately while piping hot, inviting diners to savor this comforting culinary creation.
Notes
- Optimize Tater Tot Distribution: Arrange frozen tater tots in a single, tight layer without overlapping to ensure maximum crispiness and even cooking throughout the casserole.
- Prevent Soggy Bottom: Pat shredded chicken completely dry before mixing with sauce to reduce excess moisture and maintain the casserole’s ideal texture and structural integrity.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap shredded chicken with rotisserie chicken, ground turkey, or plant-based protein alternatives for dietary preferences without compromising the recipe’s creamy consistency.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a splash of hot sauce or smoked paprika to the cream mixture for an extra layer of complexity and subtle heat that elevates the overall taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg