Description
Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish that combines crispy tater tots, tender chicken, smoky bacon, creamy ranch dressing, and melted cheese. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want a warm, flavorful meal with layers of texture and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 2 cups cooked and shredded or cubed chicken breast or thigh
- 6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
Dairy and Sauces
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken or mushroom soup
- 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Vegetables (optional)
- ½ cup chopped onions
- ½ cup chopped bell peppers
- ½ cup peas (optional)
Top Layer
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Bacon: Cook chicken by grilling, baking, or using rotisserie, then dice into bite-sized pieces. Cook bacon until crisp, crumble or chop, and let both cool slightly.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, chopped vegetables if using, ranch dressing, sour cream, and cream soup. Stir until fully blended into a creamy mixture.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the filling evenly in a baking dish. Arrange tater tots tightly in a single layer on top, covering the filling completely to ensure a crispy top while sealing in moisture.
- Bake Until Golden: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake casserole for 35-40 minutes until tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the filling is bubbly and hot.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving to allow layers to set and make portioning easier.
Notes
- Use freshly cooked chicken for best texture and flavor.
- Don’t skimp on bacon for that essential smoky depth.
- Arrange tater tots closely in a uniform layer for extra crispiness.
- Mix ranch dressing, sour cream, and soup thoroughly to ensure even flavor.
- Allow casserole to rest before slicing to avoid runny servings.
- Variations include swapping tater tots with cauliflower tots for low carb, adding extra vegetables, or using different cheeses.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: chicken casserole, bacon casserole, ranch tater tot casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal