Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake Recipe
Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake is a comforting and easy-to-make casserole featuring shredded chicken tossed in flavorful ranch dressing and spices, topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese. This hearty dish is perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering, combining creamy, cheesy, and savory elements in every bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Topping
- 3 cups frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot enough for baking the casserole and crisping the tater tots.
- Mix Chicken with Seasoning: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with ranch dressing, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well to evenly coat the chicken with the flavorful mixture.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish, then spread the ranch-coated chicken mixture evenly at the bottom of the dish to create a uniform layer.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the chicken mixture, covering it completely. This will form a crispy topping after baking.
- Sprinkle Cheese: Evenly distribute the shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots, ensuring good coverage to melt and create a golden cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown, crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle chopped green onions on top for a fresh, colorful garnish before serving warm.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Feel free to add other vegetables such as bell peppers or corn to the chicken mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or sprinkle with crushed red chili flakes.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake, chicken casserole, tater tot casserole, baked chicken dish, easy family dinner
