Description
Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake with juicy chicken, crispy tater tots, creamy ranch, and gooey cheddar. Quick, comforting, and crowd-pleasing!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs frozen tater tots
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly shredded (plus ½ cup for topping)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup frozen corn (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat and sauté the diced onions, bell peppers, and garlic for about 4-5 minutes until softened. This quick step adds incredible depth of flavor to your **Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake**. While the vegetables are cooking, shred or dice your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the casserole.
- Step 2: Create the Creamy Base In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and ranch seasoning mix. Stir thoroughly until you have a smooth, well-blended mixture with no lumps of seasoning remaining. This creamy mixture is the flavor foundation of your **Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake**. The ranch seasoning infuses the sauce with herbs and tanginess that will permeate the entire dish as it bakes. The consistency should be thick but spreadable – if it seems too thick, add 2 tablespoons of milk to adjust.
- Step 3: Combine and Layer Add the sautéed vegetables, shredded chicken, frozen corn (if using), and 2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese to the creamy ranch mixture. Fold everything together gently but thoroughly, making sure the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated. Spread this mixture evenly in your prepared baking dish, creating a level surface. The combination of ingredients at this stage already smells amazing and gives you a preview of the flavor-packed **Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake** that’s coming.
- Step 4: Add the Tater Tot Topping Arrange the frozen tater tots in neat rows covering the entire surface of the chicken mixture. For an extra touch of flavor, drizzle the melted butter over the tater tots, then sprinkle with a bit of additional ranch seasoning if desired. The methodical arrangement isn’t just for appearance – it ensures even cooking and the perfect ratio of crispy tots to creamy filling in every serving of your **Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake**.
- Step 5: Bake to Perfection Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the tater tots, and increase the temperature to 425°F (220°C). Continue baking for 20 more minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the edges are bubbling. This two-stage baking process ensures your **Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Bake** is hot throughout with the perfect crispy topping. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg