Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole

This Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole with broccoli, bacon, and cheese is comfort food at it's finest. Super simple and made in just one pan, this delicious, easy dinner recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

Why Make Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole

"Casserole" is both the name of the cooking dish and also of the recipe which is baked in it. Casseroles are typically an assembly of ingredients, all baked in one dish. This style of cooking actually goes back to the turn of the 1900s but became popular in the 1940s when Campbell’s began promoting the use of their canned soups in casserole recipes. Read about the rise and fall of the casserole here: Casseroles.

As the name implies, this ranch chicken and potato casserole has chicken and potatoes. However, it is also filled with broccoli and bacon, too! The chicken, potatoes, broccoli, and bacon all get tossed in a creamy ranch dressing, are then topped with lots of cheese, and finally are baked to warm perfection. If you are a fan of the combo of chicken, cheese and broccoli, you might also want to try my Chicken and Broccoli Lasagna Alfredo.

Here's What You Need to Make Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole

• Chicken: I am using boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe, but you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, too. I chose to use chicken breasts because it’s a leaner option in an already not-so-skinny recipe.
• Potatoes: For this ranch chicken and potato casserole, I used regular russet potatoes, but any potato variety will work perfectly.
• Bacon: You can use store-bought real bacon bits in place of the bacon.
• Cheese: Choose your favorite! I love Monterrey Jack or sharp cheddar, myself. To make things a little easier, buy pre-shredded cheese.
• Produce: You will also need frozen broccoli florets and scallions to make ranch chicken and potato casserole.

How to Make Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole, Step By Step

Step 1: Prep

First, preheat your oven to 425° F, and then spray a 12" oven-safe skillet or a 9x13" baking dish with cooking spray

Step 2: Make Potatoes

Next, toss potatoes and bacon with ¼ of the ranch dressing in a mixing bowl. After that, transfer the potatoes and bacon, using a slotted spoon, to the prepared baking dish, reserving the bowl with the ranch dressing to use with the chicken (next step). Finally, bake the potatoes for 35-40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

Step 3: Marinate Chicken

While the potatoes are cooking, add the chicken to the mixing bowl with the ranch dressing, stirring to coat the pieces. Next, cover the bowl, refrigerate, and allow the chicken to marinate.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Potatoes

Now, remove the potatoes from the oven and turn the oven temperature to 400° F. At this point, add the marinated chicken to the baking pan, as well as the white parts of the chopped scallions. Then, cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the chicken is cooked through.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

After 20 minutes, turn the oven off and turn the broiler on high. Next, remove the baking dish from the oven, remove the foil cover, and stir in broccoli and the remaining ranch dressing. Then, top the whole dish with grated cheddar cheese. Finally, broil your ranch chicken and potato casserole until the cheese is melted (about 5 minutes).

Garnish your dish with the green parts of the chopped scallions and serve hot.

Expert Tips

• Frozen broccoli is already blanched, so it really just needs to heat up and can be added to the dish just before topping with the cheese.
• If you prefer crispier bacon, you can precook it, chop it and stir it into the casserole, along with the broccoli before the cheese topping step.
• You can use pre-cooked potatoes or leftover potatoes.
• Use packaged pre-shredded cheese instead of grating it yourself.
• Parboiling the potatoes will cut down on oven time.
• Because the bacon and cheese add quite a bit of salt, I haven't included salt in the recipe. If you prefer to add it, I would recommend going sparingly.

FAQs for Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole

Looking for more one-pan dinner recipes?

• Mexican Shepherd's Pie
• Spanish Fish Stew
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• Biscuit Topped Chicken Pot Pie

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