This Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole is the ultimate comfort food dish! Juicy chicken, tender potatoes, crispy bacon, gooey cheese, and a flavorful ranch seasoning blend make every bite irresistible. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, this casserole combines all the crowd-pleasing ingredients into one easy, satisfying recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Packed with flavor: Ranch seasoning, bacon, and cheese ensure a taste explosion in every bite.
- One-pan wonder: Everything bakes together for a hassle-free meal.
- Customizable: Add veggies or swap ingredients to fit your preferences.
- Family-friendly: A dish everyone will ask for seconds of, guaranteed!
Ingredients
Here are 5 key ingredients for this casserole (full list in the recipe card below):
- Chicken breast or thighs: Tender, protein-packed pieces that cook perfectly in the casserole.
- Russet potatoes: They hold up well and develop a creamy texture when baked.
- Ranch seasoning mix: Adds that signature herby, tangy flavor.
- Cheddar cheese: Melts into gooey deliciousness, tying everything together.
- Bacon: Provides a smoky, crispy contrast to the creamy potatoes.
Steps
- Prep the ingredients: Dice the potatoes and chicken into bite-sized pieces. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season and assemble: Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and half of the ranch seasoning. Spread them evenly in a greased baking dish. Layer the chicken pieces on top, sprinkle with remaining ranch seasoning.
- Bake and crisp: Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, stir everything, and top with shredded cheese and cooked bacon.
- Final bake: Return to the oven, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions or parsley for a fresh touch and serve hot!
Variations
- Add veggies: Mix in broccoli, bell peppers, or corn for added color and nutrients.
- Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a kick.
- Use sweet potatoes: For a slightly sweeter, nutrient-packed twist.
Tips and Tricks
- Dice the potatoes and chicken uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- For extra crispy bacon, cook it separately and add it just before serving.
- Shred your own cheese for the best melting quality—pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that can affect texture.
How to Serve
This casserole is a meal in itself, but you can serve it with:
- A crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for balance.
- Crusty bread to soak up all the cheesy goodness.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready to serve.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for best results.
- Freezing: Freeze the fully cooked casserole for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven.
FAQs
Can I use a different protein?
Yes! Swap the chicken for turkey, ground beef, or even cooked sausage.
What’s the best way to cook the bacon?
Bake it in the oven or use a skillet for perfectly crispy bacon every time.
Can I use homemade ranch seasoning?
Absolutely! Combine dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to make your own.
Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty casserole combines tender chicken, crispy potatoes, smoky bacon, and melted cheese, all flavored with tangy ranch seasoning. It’s a perfect comfort food for a family dinner or a potluck.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
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Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast or thighs, diced
- 5 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or russet), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream or ranch dressing
- 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish
-
Seasoning:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Toss potato cubes with olive oil, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Spread evenly on a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Prepare the Chicken:
- While potatoes are baking, season the chicken with a bit of olive oil and some additional ranch seasoning.
- Once the potatoes are partially baked, remove them from the oven and mix in the chicken pieces.
- Layer and Bake:
- Top the chicken and potatoes with shredded cheese and crumbled bacon.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature) and potatoes are tender.
- Serve:
- Garnish with scallions and an optional drizzle of sour cream or ranch dressing.
- Serve warm as a main dish with a side salad or crusty bread.
Notes
- Vegetable Add-ins: Broccoli, bell peppers, or spinach can be added for extra nutrition.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to baking and refrigerate for 24 hours. Bake as directed, adding 5–10 extra minutes if starting cold.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1½ cups
- Calories: 660 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 982mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 53g
- Cholesterol: 181mg