Description
Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake is a comforting and cheesy casserole perfect for family dinners. Combining shredded chicken, creamy ranch-seasoned sauce, tater tots, and sharp cheddar cheese, this dish offers a crispy top layer and a savory, hearty filling that’s sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2-3 cups cooked, shredded or diced chicken
- 32-ounce bag frozen tater tots
- 2-3 cups shredded sharp or medium cheddar cheese
- 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
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas, corn, or mixed vegetable blend
- Pinch of garlic powder
- Pinch of onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: If your chicken is not already cooked and shredded or diced, cook it now until you have 2-3 cups ready.
- Make Creamy Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, and milk until smooth and well combined.
- Season and Mix: Add the dry ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the creamy base and stir well. Fold in the cooked chicken and optional frozen vegetables if using. Then add about 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and mix until everything is evenly coated.
- Layer Mixture: Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly across the bottom.
- Add Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the chicken mixture, covering the surface completely.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 to 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the layer of tater tots to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven 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: Allow the bake to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven to let it set for easier serving.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the bake for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a tangier and slightly healthier option.
- Add your favorite vegetables like peas, corn, or a mixed blend to sneak in extra nutrients.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Use sharp cheddar for stronger flavor, or mild cheddar for a creamier taste.
