Description
Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake is a comforting, crowd-pleasing casserole combining shredded chicken, creamy ranch-infused sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a satisfying family dinner, this easy-to-make dish blends savory flavors and a crispy topping for a hearty meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 2-3 cups cooked, shredded or diced chicken
- 10.5-ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk
- 1 ounce packet dry ranch seasoning mix
- Pinch of garlic powder
- Pinch of onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas, corn, or mixed vegetable blend
- 2-3 cups shredded sharp or medium cheddar cheese (divided: about 1.5 cups in mixture, remainder for topping)
Topping
- 32-ounce bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the casserole doesn’t stick.
- Prepare chicken: If your chicken isn’t cooked, cook and shred or dice it until you have 2-3 cups of chicken ready for the bake.
- Make creamy base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and milk until smooth and well combined.
- Season and mix: Add the ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper into the creamy base. Stir to combine fully. Fold in the cooked chicken and any optional frozen vegetables, then stir in about 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until everything is coated evenly.
- Assemble bake: Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly for an even layer.
- Add tater tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the chicken mixture, covering the surface.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 to 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots for a flavorful, melty top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken mixture is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set before serving warm.
Notes
- You can substitute the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a tangier and slightly healthier option.
- Feel free to add your favorite frozen vegetables such as peas, corn, or a vegetable blend to increase the nutritional value.
- If you prefer a crispier topping, broil the casserole for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, but watch closely to avoid burning.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cheese and replace sour cream with Greek yogurt.
