Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food a crowd-pleasing casserole loaded with creamy ranch flavor, crispy tater tots, salty bacon and cheesy goodness. The pulled chicken provides a robust foundation, and the ranch sauce adds a tangy richness that melds all the flavors.
Layering shredded chicken, ranch sauce, cheese and crispy tater tots yields a casserole with a great combination of textures — soft and creamy interior, golden crunchy topping. A final sprinkling of bacon and melted cheese gives a rich, bubbly top that heightens the dish’s savory charm.
This casserole is simple to put together and pop in the oven, making it an ideal meal for family dinners, get-togethers or game day. It’s a new favorite for any meal — each serving is packed with flavors and textures.
Reasons You Will Love This Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole:
Packed With Flavor: The ranch sauce imparts tang, the bacon provides smoky richness and cheddar adds the perfect gooey topping. It is packed with salty umami goodness in every bite.
Amazing Texture Combo: The creamy, crispy, cheesy, and tender combo of textures all in one dish — it’s comfort food at its best.
Easier Than You’d Guess to Prepare: Frozen tater tots and pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken make prep foolproof, easy for busy nights.
Adjustable: You can mix in veggies, switch out cheeses, change the seasonings to make it your own.
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Key Ingredients:
Protein Base: Cooked Chicken Breasts Shredding it allows it to mix nicely with the sauce and keeps every bite perfectly flavored. If you don’t have much time, rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut.
Frozen Tater Tots: These provide the crispy texture and satisfying potato component. No thawing necessary—simply layer them directly on top for a crisp, golden finish.
Ranch Dressing: Ranch gives this dish a crowd-pleasing tangy, herby flavor. Use your favorite brand or a homemade ranch dressing if you prefer a fresher flavor.
Bacon: Bacon lends smokiness and a toothsome crunch. If you’re using microwave or pre-cooked bacon, it’s a time-saver. You can fry the bacon in advance and store it crisp until assembly.
Mild Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar melts beautifully and balances nicely with the ranch and bacon flavors. You can also go with a sharp cheddar for stronger flavor, or blend in other cheeses such as Monterey Jack for interest.
Milk, Butter and Flour: These are the base of the sauce, giving it creaminess and helping the flavors to come together. Whole milk produces the best texture here, but you can use whatever milk you have on hand.
For full list of ingredients with quantities and instructions check the recipe card below
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Prepare the Chicken
Preheat the oven: Adjust the oven to 425°F (220°C) to make sure that the tater crumbs will rise golden brown and crispy.
Cook Chicken and Shred: On a different pan, cook the chicken breasts until done. Let cool slightly, then shred with a mixer or two forks. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Ranch Sauce
Melt Butter: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter, the base of the sauce.
Whisk in Flour: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the melted butter, then whisk until smooth and slightly thickened.
Add Milk and Season: Gradually whisk in 1 cup milk, a little bit at a time, to avoid lumps. Add the syrup, all of the cream, stir until creamy, and then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Mix in Ranch Dressing: Stir in 1/2 cup ranch dressing, making sure everything is well-combined for a creamy, tangy sauce.
Step 3: Put Together The Casserole
Grease Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
Layer Ingredients:
Evenly scatter the shredded chicken over the bottom.
Pour the ranch sauce on top of the chicken, covering it completely.
Top with half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Spread the frozen tater tots in an even layer on top of the cheese to cover the dish.
The bake: Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, letting them begin to crisp up.
Step 4: Add on the Bacon and Cheese
Cook the Bacon: While the casserole is baking, cook up the bacon (if not using pre-cooked), crumble it, and set it aside.
Check Tater Tots: After 20 minutes, check that the tater tots are golden and crispy. Bake for a few more minutes, if necessary.
Sprinkle Cheese & Bacon: After the casserole is crispy, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the casserole topped with the crumbled bacon.
Bake Until Melty: Return to the oven for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 5: Serve
Let it Cool a Little: Let the casserole sit for a few minutes for the layers to set.
Slice and Serve: Slice into pieces and serve hot for a delicious balance of flavours and textures.
Serving Suggestions:
This casserole is a full meal on its own, but here are some sides and garnishes that can complement it:
Side Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is a refreshing counterpoint to the rich casserole.
Steamed Vegetables: Serve alongside steamed broccoli, green beans or asparagus for color and nutrients.
Garnishments: Sprinkle with chopped green onions or fresh parsley for a burst of color and a mild, oniony taste.
To make this casserole a full comfort meal, serve it with a warm bread roll or some garlic bread on the side.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
This casserole is perfect for leftovers, and makes for a great make-ahead meal.
Storing Leftovers
Store any remaining casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. The flavors will have continued to meld, making it even better the next day.
Freezing
To freeze, assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish but do not bake. Wrap it well with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. To bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake according to original directions, adding an extra few minutes, as needed.
Reheating
Reheat: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. However, if it is one portion, the microwave also works well and fits in here for about 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Variations to Try:
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is infinitely adaptable. Here are some fun twists to experiment with:
Fully Loaded Veggie Tater Tot Casserole
For a more nutrient-dense version, add a layer of cooked veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, or mushrooms on top.
Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
For a spicy version, add 1/4 cup buffalo sauce to the ranch sauce. Dollop with the cheddar and a few blue cheese crumbles for flavor.
BBQ Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
In the place of ranch dressing, BBQ sauce in the sauce mixture for smoky, tangy flavor. Or you could mix the shredded BBQ chicken into the traditional chicken for a little extra kick.
Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Substitute ground beef for the chicken, with a dusting of diced pickles and tomatoes scattered on top just before serving for a cheeseburger-inspired casserole.
Tater Tot Casserole, Mexican-Style
Stir taco seasoning into the ranch sauce, and layer on black beans, corn, and salsa. For a deliciously spicy variation, top with shredded Mexican cheese blend.
Conclusion:
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate in comfort food, combining crunchy tater tots, a creamy ranch sauce, cheese and smoky bacon all in one yummy dish. It’s easy to make, incomparably crowd-pleasing and the perfect go-to for busy weeknights, gatherings or whenever you need a big, satisfying plate of food.
So come on, get your ingredients and dig into this cozy casserole — it’s sure to become a family favorite! Enjoy!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 6 slices cooked bacon crumbled or microwave bacon
- 4 breasts cooked chicken shredded
- 32 oz frozen tater tots do not thaw
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing adds tangy flavor
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour for thickening sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese divided for topping
- 1/8 tsp salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Cook chicken breasts until done, shred, and set aside.
- In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter, whisk in flour, then slowly add milk, whisking to avoid lumps. Season with salt and pepper, then add ranch dressing, stirring to combine.
- Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread shredded chicken, pour ranch sauce, top with half the cheddar cheese, then layer frozen tater tots.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until tater tots start to crisp.
- Cook and crumble bacon if not already done. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and bacon over casserole, then bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Allow casserole to cool slightly before serving. Cut into portions and enjoy!