Cheddar Ranch Chicken Bake Recipe
Cheddar Ranch Chicken is a comforting and easy-to-make casserole-style dish that combines shredded cooked chicken with creamy ranch dressing and savory spices, topped with crispy baked tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. Finished with fresh green onions, this recipe offers a flavorful and hearty meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
- Author: Logan
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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
Spices
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the casserole.
- Mix Chicken and Seasoning: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with ranch dressing, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly so all the chicken is evenly coated with the flavorful ranch and spices.
- Spread Chicken Mixture: Grease a baking dish to prevent sticking and spread the chicken mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish, creating a smooth, even layer.
- Add Tater Tots: Evenly layer the frozen tater tots on top of the chicken mixture, covering it completely for a crispy topping.
- Sprinkle Cheese: Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the tater tots. This will melt and create a rich, golden crust during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh and vibrant finish. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use any cooked chicken, including leftovers or rotisserie chicken, to save time.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking—watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Adjust ranch seasoning according to your taste preference or use homemade ranch dressing for a fresher flavor.
- To make this dish lower in carbs, consider substituting tater tots with cauliflower tots if available.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
Keywords: Cheddar Ranch Chicken, baked chicken casserole, tater tot casserole, easy chicken recipe, comfort food, ranch chicken bake