Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Craving a dish that’s creamy, cheesy, and utterly satisfying? Look no further than this Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole! This recipe combines all the best comfort food elements into one easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress with minimal effort.

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Easy to Make:** This casserole requires minimal prep work and uses simple ingredients, making it a breeze to throw together, even on a hectic evening.
* **Crowd-Pleasing Flavor:** The combination of chicken, bacon, ranch, cheese, and tater tots is a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike. The smoky bacon, tangy ranch, and savory chicken create a flavor profile that’s hard to resist.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt this recipe to your liking by adding vegetables, changing the cheese, or using different sauces. Want it spicier? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some diced jalapeños.
* **Perfect for Leftovers:** This casserole reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prepping or enjoying leftovers the next day.
* **Uses pantry staples:** Most of these ingredients you may already have in your pantry. This make a quick and easy meal with little planning!

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Tater Tots:** 30 ounces, frozen. The star of the show! Crispy tater tots provide a delightful texture and satisfying base for the casserole. Keep them frozen until ready to assemble.
* **Cooked Chicken:** 2 cups, shredded or diced. Use leftover rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or poached chicken for convenience. You can also use canned chicken in a pinch. Make sure that the chicken is fully cooked for food safety.
* **Bacon:** 8 slices, cooked and crumbled. Crispy bacon adds a smoky and savory flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly. Cook the bacon until crispy, then drain off the excess grease and crumble it. You can also use bacon bits for a shortcut.
* **Ranch Dressing:** 1 cup. Use your favorite brand of ranch dressing. The ranch dressing adds a tangy and creamy element that ties all the flavors together. Consider using a thicker ranch dressing for a richer flavor.
* **Cream of Chicken Soup:** 1 (10.75 ounce) can. Provides a creamy base for the casserole. You can substitute cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup if preferred, but cream of chicken is the classic choice. Look for low-sodium options to control the salt content.
* **Shredded Cheddar Cheese:** 2 cups, divided. Adds a cheesy and melty goodness. You can use a different type of cheese, such as Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a blend of cheeses. Divide the cheese so you can use some in the filling and some on top.
* **Milk:** 1/2 cup. Helps to thin out the cream of chicken soup and create a smoother sauce. You can use any type of milk, such as whole milk, 2% milk, or skim milk. You can also use heavy cream for a richer flavor.
* **Green Onions:** 1/4 cup, chopped (optional). Adds a fresh and vibrant flavor to the casserole. You can substitute chives or parsley if preferred.
* **Garlic Powder:** 1 teaspoon. Adds a subtle garlic flavor.
* **Onion Powder:** 1 teaspoon. Adds a subtle onion flavor.
* **Salt:** 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste. Adjust to your preference.
* **Black Pepper:** 1/4 teaspoon, or to taste. Adjust to your preference.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **9×13 inch baking dish**
* **Large bowl**
* **Measuring cups and spoons**
* **Mixing spoon or spatula**
* **Oven**

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole:

**1. Preheat Your Oven:**

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the casserole cooks evenly.

**2. Prepare the Tater Tots:**

While the oven is preheating, take the frozen tater tots directly from the freezer. You don’t need to thaw them beforehand. Set aside.

**3. Prepare the Filling:**

In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, ranch dressing, cream of chicken soup, milk, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If you want it spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some diced jalapeños.

**4. Assemble the Casserole:**

Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. This prevents the casserole from sticking to the dish. Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

**5. Top with Tater Tots:**

Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the chicken mixture. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible. Slightly overlapping the tater tots is acceptable.

**6. Add the Remaining Cheese:**

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots. This will create a cheesy and golden-brown topping.

**7. Bake the Casserole:**

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Check the casserole after 30 minutes to prevent the tater tots from burning. If the tater tots are browning too quickly, you can tent the casserole with aluminum foil.

**8. Garnish and Serve:**

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions (optional) for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve hot and enjoy!

## Tips and Variations

* **Add Vegetables:** Sneak in some extra nutrients by adding vegetables like broccoli florets, corn, peas, or diced carrots to the chicken mixture. Cook the vegetables slightly before adding them to the casserole.
* **Use Different Cheese:** Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a blend of cheeses. Pepper Jack cheese would add a nice kick.
* **Make it Spicy:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce to the chicken mixture for a spicy kick.
* **Use Different Protein:** Substitute the chicken with ground beef, ground turkey, or sausage. Brown the meat before adding it to the casserole.
* **Add a Breadcrumb Topping:** Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the tater tots before baking for a crunchy topping.
* **Make it Ahead:** Assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
* **Use Different Ranch:** You can use homemade ranch dressing for a boost of flavor. There are plenty of recipes online to create ranch dressing from scratch!
* **Ensure Tater Tots Are Crispy:** For extra crispy tater tots, consider placing them on a baking sheet and baking them separately for the last 10 minutes of baking. This helps air circulate around them, making them even crispier.
* **Use Leftover Ingredients:** This recipe is a fantastic way to use leftover chicken or bacon from other meals. Reduce food waste and create a delicious new dish!

## Serving Suggestions

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or some steamed vegetables for a more balanced meal.

* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing complements the richness of the casserole.
* **Steamed Vegetables:** Steamed broccoli, green beans, or carrots are healthy and easy side dishes.
* **Garlic Bread:** Serve with garlic bread or cheese bread for a comforting and satisfying meal.
* **Coleslaw:** The creamy and tangy coleslaw balances the richness of the casserole.

## Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

* **Make Ahead:** You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed, adding 10-15 minutes to the baking time. This is great for dinner parties!
* **Storage:** Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or in the microwave in 1-2 minute intervals. For oven reheating, cover the casserole with foil to prevent the tater tots from burning.
* **Freezing:** While you can freeze the casserole, the texture of the tater tots may change slightly upon thawing. To freeze, let the casserole cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* **Calories:** Approximately 450-550 per serving (depending on ingredients and portion size)
* **Fat:** 30-40g
* **Protein:** 20-30g
* **Carbohydrates:** 30-40g

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*

## Enjoy!

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is a surefire way to satisfy your comfort food cravings. With its easy preparation, delicious flavors, and customizable nature, it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a truly unforgettable meal!