Description
Hearty loaded potato ranch chicken casserole merges comfort food favorites into one irresistible dish. Midwestern culinary traditions shine through with creamy textures and bold ranch-seasoned flavors you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 4 medium russet potatoes, diced into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick coating for effortless serving.
- Potato Seasoning: Toss diced potatoes with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and olive oil, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the aromatic blend.
- Initial Roasting: Spread seasoned potatoes in an even layer across the baking dish and roast for 20-25 minutes until developing a crispy golden exterior and tender interior.
- Chicken Preparation: Coat chicken pieces with ranch dressing, massaging to ensure complete flavor penetration and even coverage.
- Layering and Cheese Topping: Remove partially cooked potatoes from oven, arrange ranch-coated chicken on top, then generously layer cheddar and mozzarella cheeses to create a melting, golden blanket.
- Final Baking: Return casserole to oven and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches 165F internal temperature and cheese becomes bubbly and irresistible.
- Finishing Touch: Sprinkle crumbled bacon and fresh parsley over the casserole, adding texture and vibrant color to the dish.
- Serving: Present the loaded potato ranch chicken casserole immediately while piping hot, showcasing the harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Notes
- Manage Potato Texture: Cut potatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent crispiness across the entire dish.
- Prevent Chicken Dryness: Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for more moisture and flavor, which helps maintain juiciness during the baking process.
- Boost Ranch Flavor: Opt for homemade ranch seasoning or high-quality ranch mix to enhance the overall depth and richness of the casserole’s taste profile.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute regular cheese with dairy-free alternatives and use turkey bacon for lower-fat version, making the recipe adaptable for various dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 970 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg