Description
Hearty loaded chicken and potato casserole brings comfort and flavor to dinner tables across North America. Crispy potatoes, melted cheese, and succulent chicken create a satisfying meal that keeps families coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
- 8 ounces (225 grams) bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Starch:
- 4 medium potatoes (cubed)
Seasonings and Additions:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 2 green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400°F and prepare a greased baking dish for the casserole.
- Mix cubed potatoes with olive oil, creating a flavorful coating using garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to enhance the taste profile.
- Spread seasoned potato cubes evenly across the prepared baking dish, roasting for 20 minutes until they begin to crisp and golden.
- Meanwhile, season chicken cubes with salt and pepper, ensuring each piece is well-coated for maximum flavor absorption.
- Extract the partially roasted potatoes from the oven and arrange seasoned chicken pieces uniformly across the potato layer.
- Drizzle ranch dressing generously over the chicken and potato mixture, allowing the creamy sauce to penetrate and add moisture.
- Distribute crumbled bacon and shredded cheese across the top, creating a rich and indulgent surface layer.
- Return the casserole to the 400°F oven, baking for an additional 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches safe internal temperature and cheese melts into a bubbly golden crust.
- Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
- Serve immediately while hot and cheese remains gooey and inviting.
Notes
- Always dice potatoes into uniform, bite-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Use thick-cut bacon for extra crispiness and rich flavor, crumbling it just before adding to the dish to maintain maximum crunchiness.
- Consider using Greek yogurt mixed with ranch seasoning as a healthier alternative to traditional ranch dressing for lower-calorie version.
- Swap chicken with turkey or plant-based protein for dietary variations, keeping cooking times and seasoning ratios consistent for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg