Description

Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake is a comforting, hearty casserole that combines tender chicken, crispy tater tots, creamy ranch-flavored sauce, and melted cheddar cheese. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for family dinners or potlucks, delivering a delicious blend of cheesy, savory, and crunchy textures all baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Vegetables

2–3 cups cooked, shredded or diced chicken
Optional: 1 cup frozen peas, corn, or mixed vegetable blend

Main Components

32-ounce bag frozen tater tots
2–3 cups shredded sharp or medium cheddar cheese, divided (about 1.5 cups and 0.5 to 1 cup)

Sauce and Seasonings

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

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and facilitate easy serving.
Cook Chicken: If your chicken is not already cooked and shredded or diced, cook it now until you have 2-3 cups ready for the casserole.
Make the Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and milk. Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Add Seasonings and Mix: Add the ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the sauce base. Stir thoroughly to incorporate flavors. Then fold in the cooked chicken and any optional frozen vegetables. Add about 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
Assemble Base Layer: Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly to form the casserole base.
Layer Tater Tots: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the chicken mixture, covering the entire surface.
Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 to 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots to ensure a cheesy, crispy topping after baking.
Bake: Place the 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.
Rest and Serve: Remove the bake from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to set before serving, allowing easier slicing and enhanced flavors.

Notes

Using sour cream or Greek yogurt adds creaminess and a slight tang to the sauce; choose based on preference or dietary needs.
For extra crispiness, you can broil the dish for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Feel free to add your favorite vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for more nutrition.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture retention.
If you want a spicier version, add a dash of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the sauce mixture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cheddar ranch chicken, tater tot casserole, chicken casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, baked chicken dish