This Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is an all time family favorite made with chicken, bacon, cheese and a delicious creamy ranch sauce that everyone will love!

You can’t go wrong with making this Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole for the family. It’s an easy recipe to throw together especially on a busy night when you don’t have a lot of time to cook. Ingredients are simple and ones you probably already have in the house.

Casseroles are traditional comfort food. Occasionally I talk to someone who never makes a casserole and I have to wonder why!!

Some people think that casseroles came about as a way to stretch food further. It was an economical way to use up different kinds of foods in a delicious way.

Casseroles are typically EASY to make so they are perfect for home cooks.

I love the fact that I can add lots of veggies to a meal without my kids minding so much. The veggies in a casserole get eaten more often then if the same veggie is just a side dish on the plate.

Casseroles make the best leftovers so lunch the next day is already done.

Ingredients

• 6 slices of cooked bacon or you can use microwave bacon
• 4 cooked and shredded chicken breasts
• 32 oz. bag of frozen tater tots
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
• salt & pepper to taste

How To Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Cook chicken in a separate pan until done. Let chicken cool a few minutes and shred with a mixer.
3. Using a small saucepan, melt butter on low heat, whisk in flour and add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Whisk the milk in the saucepan mixture slowly pouring a little bit at a time. Mix until you get a creamy consistency and add in ranch dressing and mix.
5. Spray a 9×13 baking dish and add a layer of chicken, then sauce, then half of cheese, then tater tots and cook for 20 minutes uncovered.
6. Crumble cooked bacon while waiting for the casserole to cook and set aside.
7. Make sure the tater tots are a golden color and crispy and then top the casserole with the remaining cheese and crumbled bacon. Bake for another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Take out of the oven and let cool for a few minutes and then enjoy!

Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional aspects of the Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole recipe:

### Ingredients:
– **Bacon**: Adds flavor and texture, but can be high in saturated fat and sodium.
– **Chicken**: Provides protein.
– **Frozen tater tots**: Contribute carbohydrates and fats, typically fried or baked potatoes.
– **Ranch dressing**: Adds flavor and creaminess, but can be high in fat and calories.
– **Milk**: Adds creaminess and moisture to the sauce.
– **All-purpose flour and butter**: Used to make a roux for the creamy sauce.
– **Shredded mild cheddar cheese**: Adds flavor and texture, but also contributes to the fat content.
– **Salt & pepper**: Used for seasoning.

### Nutritional Considerations:
– **Protein**: Provided by the chicken.
– **Fat**: Found in the bacon, cheese, ranch dressing, butter, and tater tots. It’s important to use these ingredients in moderation, especially if they’re high in saturated fats.
– **Carbohydrates**: Contributed by the tater tots and potentially the flour.
– **Calcium**: Found in the cheese and milk.
– **Sodium**: The dish may be relatively high in sodium due to the bacon, ranch dressing, and cheese.

### Healthier Modifications:
– Consider using turkey bacon or turkey sausage as a leaner alternative to bacon.
– Opt for a light or low-fat ranch dressing to reduce the fat content.
– You can use reduced-fat cheese to lower the overall fat content of the dish.
– Consider baking the tater tots instead of frying them for a healthier option.
– Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour for added fiber.
– Increase the proportion of vegetables in the dish by adding chopped spinach, bell peppers, or onions for added nutrition.

### Overall:
– While the Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is undoubtedly a comforting and flavorful dish, it’s essential to be mindful of portion sizes and the amount of added fats and sodium.
– Adding more vegetables and opting for lower-fat and lower-sodium ingredients can help make this dish a healthier option.

Enjoy your Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole as part of a balanced meal!