This dish is a total crowd-pleaser and perfect for a holiday or just a cozy dinner night. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients, construction, variations, and tips for this OMG yummy casserole:
Ingredients:
- 6 slices cooked bacon (chopped)
- 4 cooked, shredded chicken breasts (about 2 cups)
- 32 oz. frozen tater tots (or more, depending on how thick you want the layer)
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup milk (you can use heavy cream for a richer sauce)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1½ cups shredded mild cheddar cheese (or mix of your favorite cheeses)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Construction:
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Bacon: If you’re using raw bacon, cook it until crispy and chop it into bits.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, cooking until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat, and mix in ranch dressing, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Chicken and Bacon: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked chicken, chopped bacon, and half of the shredded cheese. Pour in the ranch sauce and stir everything together.
- Layer the Tater Tots: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, then layer the frozen tater tots at the bottom.
- Top with Chicken Mixture: Spread the chicken and bacon mixture evenly over the tater tots.
- Add More Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burning your mouth on the cheese!
Variations:
- Spicy: Add some hot sauce to the ranch sauce or sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes on top before baking.
- Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and bacon, and add extra veggies like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for a hearty alternative.
- Different Cheese: Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even pepper jack for extra flavor.
- Add a Crunch: Top with crispy onions or even crumbled crackers for extra texture.
Tips:
- Pre-cooked chicken: To save time, use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken. It’ll make the prep even faster.
- Tater Tot Layering: If you want extra crispy tots, you can bake them a little bit before adding the chicken mixture.
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble this casserole the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it the next day.
- Perfectly Crispy Tots: If you like your tots extra crispy, spread them out on the baking sheet first, bake them for 10-15 minutes before layering, then continue with the recipe.
This casserole is perfect for any occasion—trust me, it’s going to disappear fast! Enjoy making this delicious dish tonight!