Name: Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients: Shredded Cooked Chicken (3 cups): The star of the show! Use leftover rotisserie chicken or cook your own. This ingredient provides protein and a hearty base for the casserole.; Tater Tots (1 bag, 32 oz): These crispy potato bites create a pleasing crust on top, adding texture to the dish and a beloved childhood touch.; Cheddar Cheese (2 cups, shredded): A must for cheese lovers, the gooey melted cheese binds the casserole together and infuses it with rich flavor.; Cream Cheese (8 oz, softened): This ingredient offers a creamy texture, ensuring your casserole is rich and indulgent.; Ranch Seasoning Mix (1 packet, 1 oz): This seasoning mix brings all the zesty flavor of ranch dressing into the dish, creating a delightful, savory profile.; Sour Cream (½ cup): Sour cream adds depth and a tangy flavor, balancing the richness of the cheese and cream cheese.; Milk (½ cup): Used to blend the ingredients together, creating a smooth and pourable mixture.; Cooked Bacon (6 slices, crumbled): This savory component brings a crunchy and flavorful contrast that elevates the dish.; Green Onions (2, chopped, optional for garnish): If you choose to include this optional garnish, the fresh, bright taste of green onions provides a nice contrast to the heavier elements of the casserole.

Description

Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole: A hearty casserole with chicken, bacon, ranch, and crispy tater tots—perfect for a satisfying, family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

Shredded Cooked Chicken (3 cups): The star of the show! Use leftover rotisserie chicken or cook your own. This ingredient provides protein and a hearty base for the casserole.
Tater Tots (1 bag, 32 oz): These crispy potato bites create a pleasing crust on top, adding texture to the dish and a beloved childhood touch.
Cheddar Cheese (2 cups, shredded): A must for cheese lovers, the gooey melted cheese binds the casserole together and infuses it with rich flavor.
Cream Cheese (8 oz, softened): This ingredient offers a creamy texture, ensuring your casserole is rich and indulgent.
Ranch Seasoning Mix (1 packet, 1 oz): This seasoning mix brings all the zesty flavor of ranch dressing into the dish, creating a delightful, savory profile.
Sour Cream (½ cup): Sour cream adds depth and a tangy flavor, balancing the richness of the cheese and cream cheese.
Milk (½ cup): Used to blend the ingredients together, creating a smooth and pourable mixture.
Cooked Bacon (6 slices, crumbled): This savory component brings a crunchy and flavorful contrast that elevates the dish.
Green Onions (2, chopped, optional for garnish): If you choose to include this optional garnish, the fresh, bright taste of green onions provides a nice contrast to the heavier elements of the casserole.

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats up, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the casserole from sticking.
Prepare the Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine 8 oz of softened cream cheese, ½ cup of sour cream, and ½ cup of milk. Use a hand mixer or spatula to blend these ingredients until you achieve a smooth mixture. Next, add 1 packet (1 oz) of ranch seasoning mix and stir well to incorporate. Finally, fold in the 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken, ensuring it’s fully coated in the creamy ranch sauce.
Assemble the Casserole: Pour the creamy chicken mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Next, take your 32 oz bag of tater tots and layer them on top of the chicken mixture. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the arrangement! Once the tater tots are in place, sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown.
Add Bacon: After the casserole has baked, remove it from the oven and sprinkle 6 slices of crumbled cooked bacon over the top. Return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to let the bacon warm up.
Garnish & Serve: Once out of the oven, feel free to top the casserole with chopped green onions for a fresh touch. Serve warm and enjoy the delicious combination of flavors!