Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake Recipe

Introduction

Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake is a delicious, comforting dish that combines tender chicken, creamy ranch, crispy tater tots, and melted cheddar cheese. It’s perfect for a family dinner or easy weeknight meal that everyone will love.

The image shows a white square plate full of crispy golden brown fried cauliflower bites stacked in a pyramid shape. The cauliflower appears crunchy with a rough textured coating. It is covered with a creamy light beige sauce that has herbs mixed in, dripping down the sides of the cauliflower pieces. Finely chopped green herbs are sprinkled evenly over the sauce, adding a fresh color contrast. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and the background is softly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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 over the chicken mixture.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 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 extra crispiness, you can broil the bake for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  • Substitute cooked turkey or rotisserie chicken to save time and add flavor.
  • Add a handful of cooked bacon bits or diced bell peppers for extra texture and taste.
  • Use a low-fat ranch dressing for a lighter version of this dish.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until heated through and the tater tots regain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving if possible to keep texture.

How to Serve

A white plate filled with about a dozen crispy golden brown cauliflower bites, each piece round and crunchy on the outside. They are layered in a pile, covered with a creamy white sauce that drips down the sides, and sprinkled with finely chopped green herbs. The plate is on a white marbled surface, and part of a woman's hand is holding the edge of the plate on the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen tater tots?

While you can, frozen tater tots are recommended for convenience and consistent crispiness. If using fresh potatoes, slice thinly and pre-cook until tender before assembling the bake.

Is this dish suitable for freezing?

Yes, you can freeze the assembled dish before baking. Wrap tightly and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding extra cooking time as needed until heated through and crispy.

Print
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Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake Recipe


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

Description

Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake is a comforting and delicious casserole combining shredded chicken in creamy ranch dressing with crispy baked tater tots and melted cheddar cheese, topped off with fresh green onions. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or casual family meal.


Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready to bake the dish evenly.
  2. Mix Chicken and Seasoning: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, ranch dressing, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the dressing and spices.
  3. Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking, then spread the chicken mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish.
  4. Add Tater Tots: Evenly layer the frozen tater tots on top of the chicken mixture, covering it completely for a crispy top layer.
  5. Sprinkle Cheese: Generously sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots to add rich, melty flavor.
  6. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chopped green onions on top for freshness and garnish before serving.

Notes

  • Use cooked chicken leftovers or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
  • Feel free to swap ranch dressing with a low-fat version to reduce calories.
  • Adding extra veggies like bell peppers or corn in the chicken mixture can boost nutrition.
  • For extra crispy tater tots, broil the top for 1-2 minutes after baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cheddar Ranch Chicken, Tater Tot Bake, Casserole, Easy Dinner, Comfort Food, Chicken Bake, Ranch Dressing, Cheddar Cheese

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