Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Casserole
Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Casserole is a whole dinner in one! All topped with melty cheese and bacon. Picky eater approved!
A DELICIOUS DINNER ALL IN ONE PAN
I am really excited to share this recipe for Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Casserole with you today. It turned out so, so good! I mean you really just can’t go wrong with potatoes, chicken, melty cheese and bacon, right? This is definitely one of those all-in-one meals that I really think your whole entire family will love. It is easily customizable to suit your family’s tastes!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)
Yes, you can. If you forgot to pick up a bottle of ranch dressing, you can just season the potatoes and chicken with some ranch seasoning mix.
Yes. You can peel and dice russet potatoes instead of using baby gold potatoes.
Yes. Chicken thighs are a wonderful substitute as they are usually less expensive than chicken breasts. Just make sure to grab the boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
With this recipe, we are using ranch dressing to really give this chicken some flavor. In addition to the dressing, it is very important to also salt and pepper the chicken. You could also add a little garlic powder and/or paprika to the mix. This will all really infuse the chicken with a lot of flavor and save it from being too bland.
It is actually safe to put raw meat into casseroles. Once the chicken reaches the cooked temperature of 165F degrees, all the bacteria that might have been there will have been killed once the dish reaches that temperature.
This really is a whole meal in one. However, if you want to add some more vegetables to your plate, I suggest some steamed carrots or broccoli. Or serve with a delicious side salad (with ranch dressing, of course!)
Leftovers can be stored in a covered container, in the refrigerator, for 2 days. It can also be frozen in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Allow to come to room temperature, then microwave to reheat.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- gold baby potatoes
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Ranch dressing
- salt and pepper
- Mexican Cheese Blend
- bacon
- green onion
HOW TO MAKE LOADED BACON RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Preheat oven to 450f. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Dice potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
In a large bowl mix together the diced potatoes, salt & pepper and 1/4 cup ranch dressing. Note: It’s really important you add a bit of salt & pepper along with the ranch dressing. It makes a difference in the flavor.
Scoop the potatoes into prepared baking dish (save that bowl, we’re going to use it again for the chicken.
Bake the potatoes for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until almost thoroughly cooked (they won’t be fork tender quite yet.)
While the potatoes are cooking, start cutting up the chicken breasts.
Add the cutup chicken to the bowl you used to the potatoes and add salt and pepper and the remaining 1/4 cup ranch dressing.
Once the potatoes have cooked 30 minutes, remove baking dish from the oven and lower the oven temperature to 400F. Top the cooked potatoes with the raw marinated chicken. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (Warning: Baking dish will be VERY hot so use oven mitts to do this.)
Place baking dish back in the oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes (or until chicken is fully cooked.)
Take baking dish out of the oven and top with shredded cheese, bacon and green onion.
Place back in oven for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Casserole (+Video)
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds baby gold potatoes
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup prepared ranch dressing, divided use
- 2 cups Mexican Cheese blend
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ½ cup diced green onion
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450F degrees. Spray a 9"x 13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Dice the potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
- In a large bowl mix together the diced potatoes, salt & pepper and 1/4 cup ranch dressing.
- Pour the potatoes into prepared baking dish and spread out evenly (save that bowl, we're going to use it again for the chicken.)
- Bake the potatoes for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until almost thoroughly cooked (they won’t be fork tender quite yet.).
- While the potatoes are cooking, add the cubed chicken to the bowl you used for the potatoes and add salt and pepper and the remaining 1/4 cup ranch dressing (see my notes below about additional seasoning ideas).
- Once the potatoes have cooked 30 minutes, remove baking dish from the oven and lower the oven temperature to 400F degrees.
- Top the cooked potatoes evenly with the raw marinated chicken.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (Warning: Baking dish will be VERY hot so use oven mitts to do this.)
- Place baking dish back in the oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes (or until chicken is fully cooked and has reached 165F degrees internal temperature).
- Take baking dish out of the oven and top with shredded cheese, bacon and green onion.
- Place back in oven for 8-10 minutes (or until cheese is melted and bubbly).
Video
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in a covered container, in the refrigerator, for 2 days. It can also be frozen in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Allow to come to room temperature, then microwave to reheat.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts.
- Don’t forget to also season the chicken and the potatoes with salt and pepper. In addition, try adding some garlic powder and/or paprika to your seasonings.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: February 2016
Updated and republished: December 2021
I made this tonight and my family loved it! Added in some green, red peppers with onion and some McCormick’s kickin Chicken seasoning. Topped with Monterey pepper Jack cheese and the bacon. If you like a kick to this, it’s a good combo! My son came back for seconds and said “Mom, you HAVE GOT to make this again!!!!
Made this dish – great tastes but comes out kinda “watery” from the chicken cooking on top of the potatoes. Seems like it needs more of a thicker base and that could make this much better.
I’ve made this a few times and my family loves it! This time I added red potatoes, sweet potatoes and a vidalia onion…so good!
This was amazing! I decided to add a tsp of cayenne pepper to the ranch/chicken mixture and I added half a diced onion and some diced zucchini. You really have a great recipe here! Thanks so much!
I made this for dinner tonight. My family loved it. So, so good. I will definitely make this again and again.
I would love to make this for a date night with my boyfriend but was wondering if there was a way to be able to make it a head of time so that the only thing Id need to do is melt the cheese, Is that possible with this?
AWESOME!! THIS IS OUR SUNDAY DINNER , WE LOVE IT AND IS VERY EASY TO MAKE. THANKS
How would this taste topped with sour cream?
I made this recipe as is and it was perfect! The honey gold potatoes are delicious and hold up well. No mashed potatoes here. The second time around, I added a can of corn to make it stretch for a carry-in and used frozen grilled chicken (thawed) to save time. I also doubled the cheese, because, well…CHEESE! This recipe is very versatile and you can change the seasonings to suit your tastebuds. I have made this many times for my co0workers at their request. It’s good and filling and has been added to my recipe box as a keeper! Well done, Country Cook!
every Monday my friends and I do volunteer work we cook for 60 other volunteers.. This recipe was on the menu.. We cook from 8 to 12.. Although we make big industrial pans of this.. It was all gone by the end of lunch.. The Taste is incredible and even the presentation is beautiful.. I think that ranch dressing is the secret ingredient thank you so much
What a treasure you are! So sweet for you to volunteer your time. And what better way than to feed people?! I love it! Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know how it turned out!! I sure do appreciate it 🙂
I have made this recipe several times. Everyone loves it. I get requests for this from different members of the family. I love all your recipes and they are easy to follow.
I just tried this tonight and while mine came out kind of oily (I am assuming from bacon) this dish was so good!! I served with biscuits!! Definately making again
I just made this for dinner and it was VERY GOOD! I seasoned my chicken and potatoes with seasoned salt, garlic powder and onion powder and I let my chicken set in the ranch dressing for about 5 hours. Everybody had seconds! My 17 year old son told me to put it in the rotation!
I have made this several times and my husband and son love it. My son requested it again so I am making it again tonight. Absolutely love this recipe!!!
Have you tried making this ahead until you top with cheese and bacon and then refrigerating? I’m thinking you could prep and cook it then warm it up for 10-15 minutes straight from the fridge?
This is a great recipe that I made ahead of time for husband and guests while I was gone. I roasted my potatoes separately with just a little olive oil. I marinated my chicken in homemade sriracha ranch dressing and cooked it separately. After chicken and potatoes cooled, mixed them then added cheese, bacon and green onions. Covered and refrigerated. Next day let pan set on counter 20 minutes and cooked 25 uncovered. Serve with sour cream. They loved it and requested the recipe to make at home. I’m planning to make again. I may skip the chicken and increase potatoes to serve as side dish with bbq. Wish I had this recipe when I had 3 teenage boys at home.
I’m going to do the same as you
Made a double barch since my son had 2 friends over. Served with green beans and Hawaiian rolls. HUGE hit. There is barely any left! Loved it and will make over ajad over again.
So glad it was a hit! This is certainly one of our favorites.
Brandi, Thank you so much for this recipe. I love how easy it was to make and it was a huge hit with my husband. Definitely a recipe keeper!
Thanks, so glad it was a hit with the hubs!
Holy tamole this is so good! Will be making again and again!
Yay, so glad it was a winner for you!
Patti-So glad it was a hit with your crew! The perfect Sunday dinner 🙂
Loved the recipe! I used russet potatoes (skin on, washed well) and it was so good! Everyone gobbled it up for Sunday dinner. I also served it with a side of green beans, Thanks!
This recipe is excelent,last night I prepared this plate for my friends we really enjoy!!!
Sibyl, thank you SO much for taking the time to let me know that you loved it! It makes my day to hear!!
Brandie
Wanted to let you know I made the Potato Ranch Chicken casserole this evening. It was a hit. Only enough left for a lunch for my son to take to work. I did not have any of the little potatoes, so I just used thin skinned white potatoes. They were perfect. This will be on the menu again. Super easy and very good.
This was amazing had to use russet potatoes. I added garlic and white onion but was a super hit with my family as well.
Thanks Mary, this is so good! Thanks for the shares!
This sounds and looks delicious, Brandie! I can't wait to try it. I'm sharing on FB and Twitter!