Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this hearty Loaded Chicken and Potato Casserole, a crowd-pleasing dish that brings together creamy potatoes, tender chicken, and savory toppings. Cheese, bacon, and green onions create a mouthwatering symphony you’ll crave from the first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Starches and Base Ingredients:
- 4–5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 6 cups)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 3 green onions, chopped
- Sour cream (for serving)
- Ranch dressing (optional)
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400°F and prepare a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Toss potato cubes with olive oil and a blend of aromatic spices, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Distribute seasoned potatoes across the baking dish, creating a single layer for optimal roasting.
- Roast potatoes for 25 minutes, gently stirring midway to promote uniform browning and crispy edges.
- While potatoes cook, season chicken pieces with a robust spice mixture, focusing on thorough coverage.
- After potato initial roasting, arrange seasoned chicken uniformly over the potato base.
- Continue baking for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches perfect doneness and potatoes turn golden.
- Generously sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon fragments across the casserole surface.
- Return to oven for 5-10 minutes, allowing cheese to melt and create a luxurious, bubbling topping.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for a bright, zesty finish.
- Serve immediately, offering sour cream as an optional creamy accompaniment.
Notes
- Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version that maintains the dish’s hearty texture and flavor profile.
- Reduce baking time by cutting potatoes and chicken into smaller, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out.
- Use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for a nutrient-dense alternative that adds a subtle sweetness to the casserole.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and store in the refrigerator to make weeknight cooking faster and more convenient.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 444 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 428 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 97 mg