Start with a hot, bubbly casserole straight from the oven — creamy ranch chicken, crispy bacon, and golden tater tots in every bite.
introduction
This Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is a fuss-free, family-friendly bake that combines shredded chicken, creamy ranch-flavored filling, melty cheese, and a crunchy tater tot topping. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting with minimal prep.
why make this recipe
- Fast to assemble with mostly pantry and freezer ingredients.
- Crowd-pleasing flavors — bacon, ranch, and cheese are always winners.
- Flexible: great for using leftover chicken or rotisserie.
- Feeds a crowd without requiring special skills or equipment.
how to make Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
This is a one-dish casserole assembled in a 9×13-inch baking dish and baked until bubbly and golden. Mix the filling, spread it in the dish, top with bacon and tater tots, then bake and finish with extra cheese.
Ingredients :
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 10.5 oz condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
- 5 cups frozen tater tots
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions (for garnish)
Directions :
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, dry ranch seasoning, and 1 cup of cheese until well mixed.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the greased dish and sprinkle half of the crumbled bacon on top.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the filling.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the remaining cheese; bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Garnish with remaining bacon and green onions before serving warm.
how to serve Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
Serve hot straight from the baking dish. Pair with a simple green salad or steamed veggies to balance the richness. This casserole is great plated with extra sliced green onions or a drizzle of ranch dressing for garnish.
how to store Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
- Refrigerator: Cool completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate for 3–4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or rewarm the whole casserole at 350°F until heated through.
- Freezer: Assemble (but don’t bake), cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking, then follow baking instructions (you may need a few extra minutes).
tips to make Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- For extra crispiness, bake 5–10 minutes uncovered at the end or broil briefly while watching closely.
- If you want a thicker filling, reduce the milk to 1/4 cup.
- Swap Colby Jack for cheddar or a Mexican blend for flavor variation.
- Cook and crumble bacon ahead to speed assembly.
FAQ
Q: Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen tater tots?
A: Yes — par-cook diced or shredded potatoes until slightly tender, then arrange over the filling; you may need to increase bake time until potatoes are fully cooked and golden.
Q: Is there a lighter version of this casserole?
A: Use reduced-fat sour cream, low-fat cream soup, and turkey bacon, and consider swapping some tater tots for riced cauliflower to cut calories.
Q: Can this be made ahead and baked later?
A: Yes — assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time if chilled.
variation (if any)
- Buffalo-style: stir in 1/3 cup buffalo sauce into the filling and top with blue cheese crumbles instead of Colby Jack.
- Vegetarian: replace chicken and bacon with sautéed mushrooms and a plant-based bacon alternative; use cream of mushroom soup for flavor.
Conclusion
For the original recipe and more cooking notes, see Quick Weeknight Meals’ Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole.
Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, dry ranch seasoning, and 1 cup of cheese until well mixed.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the greased dish and sprinkle half of the crumbled bacon on top.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the filling.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and add the remaining cheese; bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Garnish with remaining bacon and green onions before serving warm.
