Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole

Loaded Potato Ranch Chicken Casserole is a whole dinner in one! All topped with melty cheese and bacon. Picky eater approved! Author: Brandie @ The Country Cook Recipe Type: American Total Time: 1 hour

Prep time:
Cook time:
Serving size: 6
Calories per serving: 735

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds baby gold potatoes
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup prepared ranch dressing, divided use
2 cups Mexican cheese blend
1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1/2 cup diced green onions


Directions:
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).

Source: thecountrycook.net