Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

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Cheesy Chicken Hash Brown Casserole with bacon, ranch, and green onions is an easy comfort food dinner recipe that the whole family will love!

DINNER IN AN HOUR – START TO FINISH

This Chicken Hash Brown Casserole is the ultimate family-friendly dinner that’s loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, golden hash browns, and plenty of melted cheese layered in. This casserole is so comforting, so filling and very hearty. It’s one of those meals that fills you up and sticks to your ribs. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, to take to potlucks, or use as a make-ahead meal in your meal plan!

Looking down on a full casserole dish of Chicken Hash Brown Casserole.

I took this casserole to church breakfast and it was a great hit. Everyone loved it!
– Mary

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What size baking dish do I need?

This can be made in a 2.5 quart baking dish (either a 9×9-inch or an 11×7-inch) or it can be made in a 9×13-inch. It works in all of them. It is just thicker in the smaller baking dish that’s all and may take just a few minutes less cooking time in the larger baking dish.

How else can I serve this casserole?

This is great even without the chicken if you want it to be more of a side dish. We eat this for dinner, but, it would make a yummy breakfast. Perhaps switch the chicken out for ham instead.

Can I make this Chicken Hash Brown Casserole in the Crock Pot instead?

I think you could – you just always have to be careful with cream based dishes in the Slow Cooker. Sometimes the cream cheese can take a funky texture if the Crock Pot gets too hot but I think it might be alright here. I’d cook for 4-6 hours on low.

What sides should I serve with this casserole?

Casseroles feel like a whole meal in themselves to me, but you can absolutely add some sides. A nice, big green salad with some bread is always a great option. You could serve with Garlic Breadsticks or some Homemade Dinner Rolls too. If you want some veggies but not a salad, go for any of your favorite vegetables or reach for one of those steamable bags of frozen vegetables that I like to keep in the freezer.

How long does this casserole last?

You can transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

A plate of Chicken Hash Brown Casserole.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

cream cheese– softened to room temperature. Need some tips? Use these Tips to Soften Cream Cheese Quickly. Don’t care for cream cheese? Try using a can of Cream of Chicken Soup instead. It keeps the creaminess without having to fuss with a block of cream cheese.
mayonnaise– if you aren’t a mayo fan, you could swap out for sour cream.
milk
frozen diced hash brown potatoes– I have not tested this with fresh potatoes. I would think those would need to perhaps be parboiled first but I am not entirely sure to be honest. You could use the shredded potatoes instead of the cubed potatoes.
salted butter– melted and cooled slightly. You can use unsalted butter instead if desired.
shredded triple cheddar cheese mix – feel free to use whatever cheese blend you prefer.
ranch seasoning mix– you can use whatever brand of ranch seasoning you prefer or use some Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix.
onion powder
garlic powder
diced cooked chicken– I used a rotisserie chicken, but you can use any leftover chicken you have, or cook up some chicken in the Instant Pot, or some chicken thighs can be another alternative. Additionally, you can cook up any fresh chicken you have, boil some, Air Fryer Chicken, etc.
bacon– cooked and crumbled. I like to use freshly cooked bacon (it gives the best flavor) for this but if you need to make it quicker, you could use the microwave bacon or the bacon pieces that grocery stores sell in little bags with the salad stuff.

Diced potatoes, chicken, bacon, green onion, cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, shredded cheese, milk, ranch, onion powder, and garlic powder.

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 2.5 quart baking dish (can also use a 9×13-inch) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix together softened cream cheese with mayonnaise and milk. Add hash brown potatoes and melted butter and stir well.

A mayo and cream cheese mixture with potatoes and cheese in a bowl.

Then add to the bowl, one cup shredded cheddar cheese, ranch dressing mix, onion powder, garlic powder, chicken, and half of the cooked bacon. Stir well. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Chicken, cheeses, bacon, and a creamy sauce mixture being mixed in a bowl and spread in a baking dish.

Cover with nonstick aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the remaining shredded cheddar cheese and bacon. Cook for an additional 20-30 minutes (or until hash browns are fully cooked and mixture is bubbly around the edges.) Serve with sliced green onions and enjoy!