Description
This Loaded Chicken and Potato Casserole combines seasoned tender chicken, diced Russet potatoes, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese for a hearty, comforting dinner. Baked to perfection, this one-dish meal is easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a family or gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 5 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and rinsed, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Chicken Seasoning
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 Tablespoon paprika
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked, chopped bacon
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400° F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Potatoes: Spread the cut potatoes evenly in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss them gently to coat. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes until tender and lightly browned.
- Season Chicken: While potatoes are baking, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Add the diced chicken breast pieces to this mixture and stir well to evenly coat all pieces.
- Combine Chicken with Potatoes: Carefully remove the baking dish with potatoes from the oven. Pour the seasoned chicken pieces over the hot potatoes and gently toss everything together to combine and arrange evenly in the dish.
- Bake Chicken and Potatoes: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (juices run clear and no pink remains).
- Add Toppings and Melt Cheese: Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the cheddar cheese, cooked chopped bacon, and sliced green onions evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving to set. Serve warm, optionally with sour cream on the side for extra creaminess.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of cheese according to your preference for cheesiness.
- Use thick-cut bacon for more flavorful, crispy topping.
- Make sure potatoes are cut into uniform 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving helps the cheese set and makes slicing easier.
- Sour cream makes a delicious optional topping that complements the flavors well.
