Description
This Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake is a comforting, cheesy casserole that combines tender chicken, crispy tater tots, and zesty ranch seasoning for a family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With a creamy base featuring sour cream and condensed soup, it delivers a rich, savory flavor that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Cheese
- 2-3 cups cooked, shredded or diced chicken
- 2-3 cups shredded sharp or medium cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Add-ins
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas, corn, or mixed vegetable blend
Base and Seasoning
- 1 ounce packet dry ranch seasoning mix
- 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
- Pinch of garlic powder
- Pinch of onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Other
- 32-ounce bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the casserole doesn’t stick and is easy to serve.
- Prepare the Chicken: If your chicken is not already cooked and shredded or diced, cook it now. You need about 2-3 cups of cooked chicken to provide a hearty protein base for the dish.
- Make the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and milk. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Seasonings and Mix-ins: Stir in the dry ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper into the creamy base. Then, fold in the cooked chicken along with any optional frozen vegetables you’d like to use. Add about 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and stir until everything is well-coated by the mixture.
- Assemble the Bake: Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly for a uniform layer of flavor and texture.
- Add the Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the chicken mixture. This will create a crispy, golden topping once baked.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 to 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the layer of tater tots, enhancing the dish’s cheesy richness.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken mixture is bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top.
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes to set before serving. This helps the layers firm up and makes for easier portioning.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
- You can use any variety of frozen mixed vegetables for added nutrition and color.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, depending on the saltiness of your soup and ranch mix.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving to save time.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
