Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
This Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for family dinners. It combines tender diced chicken breasts with flavorful ranch seasoning, smoky paprika, and garlic, layered with diced russet potatoes and topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions for a deliciously satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
Potatoes
- 4 medium russet potatoes, diced (about 4 cups)
Additional Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Season Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the diced chicken breasts with the ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until well coated.
- Prepare Potatoes: In another bowl, toss the diced russet potatoes with olive oil, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. This helps them crisp up while baking.
- Combine Ingredients: In the casserole dish, evenly spread half of the potatoes. Layer the seasoned chicken over the potatoes, then cover with the remaining potatoes.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and the potatoes to begin softening.
- Add Toppings: Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top. Follow with the cooked and crumbled bacon and chopped green onions.
- Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the potatoes are tender.
- Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and make it easier to cut.
Notes
- You can substitute smoked paprika for regular paprika if unavailable, but smoky flavor enhances the dish.
- For a lower fat option, use reduced-fat cheddar cheese and turkey bacon.
- Make sure potatoes are diced evenly for uniform cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven to maintain crispness rather than the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: loaded potato ranch chicken casserole, chicken casserole recipe, ranch chicken, cheesy potato casserole, comfort food chicken dish
