Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake Recipe

Introduction

Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. With tender shredded chicken, crispy tater tots, and a cheesy ranch topping, it’s both easy to prepare and delicious to enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 3 cups frozen tater tots
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken with ranch dressing, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined.
3. Step 3: Spread the chicken mixture evenly in a greased baking dish.
4. Step 4: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the chicken mixture.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
6. Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
7. Step 7: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For added flavor, try mixing in cooked bacon bits with the chicken mixture.
• Swap ranch dressing with a spicy buffalo sauce for a kick of heat.
• Use a mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheese for extra gooeyness.
• If fresh green onions are unavailable, chives or parsley make a great garnish alternative.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through and the tater tots regain some crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works great and adds convenient, flavorful shredded chicken to the dish.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. Assemble the bake up to a day in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 126 reviews

• Author: Victor
• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake is a comforting and flavorful casserole combining tender shredded chicken, creamy ranch dressing, crispy tater tots, and melted cheddar cheese. Enhanced with garlic and onion powder, this easy-to-make bake is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the casserole evenly.
2. Mix the chicken mixture. 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 ranch and spices.
3. Prepare the baking dish. Lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking. Spread the chicken and ranch mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish, forming a uniform layer.
4. Add the tater tots. Arrange the frozen tater tots evenly on top of the chicken mixture, creating a crispy, golden layer after baking.
5. Sprinkle cheddar cheese. Generously scatter the shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots to add a delicious, melty topping.
6. Bake the casserole. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Garnish and serve. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the chopped green onions on top for a fresh, mild onion flavor before serving hot.

Notes

• Use cooked chicken leftover from a roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
• For extra crispiness, you may broil the top for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
• Feel free to substitute ranch dressing with a homemade or low-fat version to reduce calories.
• Add some cooked bacon or diced bell peppers to the chicken mixture for additional flavor and texture.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake, cheesy chicken casserole, tater tot casserole, easy chicken bake, ranch chicken recipe