Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Bake
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Bake is a delicious and easy-to-make meal loaded with cheesy, ranch-flavored goodness. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that the whole family will love!
Ingredients:
– 1.5 pounds baby gold potatoes, diced into 1-inch cubes
– 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 1/2 cup prepared ranch dressing, divided
– 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, shredded
– 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
– 1/2 cup diced green onion
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Bake:
1. **Prepare the Baking Dish:** Preheat your oven to 450°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. **Season the Potatoes:** In a large bowl, toss the diced potatoes with salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup of ranch dressing. Save the bowl for later use.
3. **Bake the Potatoes:** Spread the seasoned potatoes in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until the potatoes are nearly cooked through but not yet fork-tender.
4. **Marinate the Chicken:** While the potatoes are baking, season the cubed chicken with salt, pepper, and the remaining 1/4 cup of ranch dressing in the same bowl you used for the potatoes.
5. **Add the Chicken:** Once the potatoes have baked for 30 minutes, remove the dish from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 400°F. Top the potatoes with the marinated chicken.
6. **Cover and Bake:** Cover the dish with aluminum foil (be careful, the dish will be very hot!). Return to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
7. **Top with Cheese and Bacon:** Remove the dish from the oven, uncover, and sprinkle the shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and diced green onions over the top.
8. **Final Bake:** Place the dish back in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Enjoy this cheesy, savory, and satisfying Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Bake!