Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
This Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender diced chicken breast and Yukon gold potatoes, all seasoned with creamy ranch dressing and aromatic herbs. Topped with crispy bacon, melted Mexican cheese blend, and fresh green onions, this casserole is perfect for a satisfying family meal that combines bold flavors and easy preparation.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Potatoes and Seasoning
- 4 cups Yukon gold potatoes, unpeeled and diced
- ⅓ cup Ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Chicken Layer
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch dice
- ⅓ cup Ranch dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- ½ cup green onions, chopped
- Prepare and Parbake Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 450°F. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the diced Yukon gold potatoes with ⅓ cup ranch dressing, dried parsley, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat the potatoes evenly. Transfer the potatoes into a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish in an even layer. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring the potatoes every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Add Chicken Layer: Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F. Using the same mixing bowl, toss the diced chicken breast with the remaining ⅓ cup ranch dressing and season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread the seasoned chicken evenly over the parbaked potatoes in the casserole dish. Cover the dish with foil to retain moisture and bake for an additional 20 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through.
- Top and Finish Baking: Remove the foil covering after 20 minutes. Sprinkle the cooked and crumbled bacon evenly over the chicken, then top with the shredded Mexican cheese blend. Return the casserole to the oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Once done, remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
- Stirring the potatoes every 10 minutes during the initial bake ensures they cook evenly and develop a nice texture.
- Covering the casserole when baking the chicken keeps the chicken moist and tender.
- Feel free to substitute Mexican cheese blend with cheddar or Monterey Jack if preferred.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of garlic powder or onion powder to the potato seasoning.
- This casserole pairs well with a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: loaded potato casserole, ranch chicken casserole, baked chicken and potatoes, easy dinner casserole, bacon cheese casserole