Description
Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake is a delicious and comforting casserole featuring shredded chicken tossed in creamy ranch dressing and spices, topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. It’s an easy-to-make, hearty meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 3 cups frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready when your dish is assembled.
- Mix Chicken and Seasonings: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with ranch dressing, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish lightly to prevent sticking, then spread the chicken and ranch mixture evenly across the bottom.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the chicken mixture for an even crispiness.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the layer of tater tots.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tater tots turn golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle with chopped green onions for a fresh, mild onion flavor. Serve hot.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the dish for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Substitute ranch dressing with a homemade or dairy-free alternative if desired.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking cold.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add some smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cheddar chicken casserole, tater tot bake, ranch chicken recipe, easy dinner bake, comfort food casserole
