Description
Hearty chicken bacon ranch casserole with potatoes delivers comfort on a plate. Ranch seasoning and crispy bacon elevate this creamy midwestern classic for home cooks seeking satisfying meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 6–8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 4 medium-sized russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup broccoli, steamed
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup jalapenos, diced
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a hot 400F (200C), preparing a culinary canvas for this hearty dish.
- Transform potato cubes into crispy golden morsels by tossing them with melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread across a greased baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until edges turn delightfully crunchy.
- Meanwhile, sear chicken pieces in a skillet over medium heat, cooking until each morsel achieves a perfect golden-brown exterior and reaches complete doneness. Reserve for layering.
- Craft a creamy ranch sauce by whisking together ranch seasoning, sour cream, cream cheese, milk, and a generous portion of cheddar cheese until the mixture becomes silky and uniform.
- Assemble the casserole by creating a delectable foundation: layer roasted potatoes as the base, followed by the cooked chicken, then sprinkle crumbled bacon across the surface.
- Cascade the ranch-cheese mixture over the layers, ensuring even distribution, then crown the casserole with remaining cheddar cheese.
- Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top becomes bubbly and achieves a tempting golden hue.
- Finish by scattering chopped green onions across the surface, and consider adding extras like broccoli or jalapeños for an unexpected flavor twist.
Notes
- Swap potatoes with cauliflower or sweet potatoes for a low-carb or nutrient-dense alternative that keeps the dish’s creamy, comforting essence.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce calories and boost protein content while maintaining the tangy ranch flavor profile.
- Prepare bacon ahead of time and drain excess grease to prevent the casserole from becoming too oily and ensure crispy texture.
- Try different cheese varieties like pepper jack or gouda to create unique flavor variations that elevate the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 434 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 704 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 103 mg