Looking for a delicious and hearty meal? Try this loaded chicken potato casserole with a creamy and cheesy texture that’s perfect for potlucks or a cozy family dinner.
Chicken Potato Casserole Is Our Comfort Food
I like to serve chicken potato casserole during family gatherings. The sense of a loaded baked potato in a casserole is pure comfort food in one easy dish meal. Also, serving this dish creates a sense of nostalgia for our cherished memories when we are together.
The preparation of the chicken and potato casserole is pretty straightforward. Simply combine the baked potatoes and chicken, then put in the oven for 15 minutes. You’ll get instant emotional comfort whenever this dish is served during dinner or family reunions.
Want more casserole recipe ideas? Check out my Easy Chicken and French Onion Soup Casserole and Quick and Easy Zucchini Casserole Recipe.
Ingredients You Need To Make Baked Chicken Potato Casserole
All you need are a few simple ingredients to make this hearty casserole recipe!
- Potatoes: You’ll need about five medium potatoes for this recipe. I prefer to use red potatoes because they create a nice contrast to the creamy texture of the cheese in the casserole. Dice into bite-size cubes.
- Chicken: For this recipe, I use 1.5 lbs or 24 ounces of chicken. I like to use the boneless thigh part for more flavor. Cut into bite-size cubes.
- Cheddar Cheese: For that gooey crust on top, you’ll need about 1-2 cups of grated cheddar cheese.
- Bacon: You’ll need about eight slices of fresh bacon to make ½ cup cooked and chopped bacon. I like to use thick-cut bacon because it offers a rich flavor and it retains its texture well.
- Olive Oil: You’ll need a tablespoon of olive oil for drizzling the potatoes and another two tablespoons for seasoning the chicken. For the best health benefits and flavor, try to use extra virgin olive oil.
- Dry Ranch Powder Dressing Mix: To enhance the natural flavor of potatoes, add a packet of ranch powder dressing mix.
- Seasonings and Spices: Apart from the olive oil, you’ll need more seasonings and spices to flavor the chicken. I use a mixture of ½ tablespoon smoked paprika, one teaspoon garlic powder, one teaspoon salt, and one teaspoon black pepper.
- Chives and parsley (optional): To add a fresh element to the casserole, you can add a teaspoon of dried chives and a tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley for toppings.
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Chicken Potato Casserole
This recipe is easy to make and prepare. Here are the steps in making a delicious Chicken Potato Casserole.
Prepare The Potatoes
Drizzle the diced potatoes with a tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with the dry ranch powder mix. Toss to coat evenly, then lay the seasoned potatoes evenly into a baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes and stir halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Season The Chicken
In a bowl, mix two tablespoons of olive oil with the seasonings and spices. Add the diced chicken to the seasoning mixture and toss to coat evenly.
Combine And Bake
When the potatoes are baked, add the seasoned chicken and gently toss using a large spoon to mix everything together. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook The Bacon
Cook the bacon until crispy, then cut into small pieces.
Top And Bake
Once the chicken is cooked, remove the baking dish from the oven. Add the crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese for the toppings. You can also add chives and parsley for that additional fresh element. Return the baking dish to the oven for another five minutes to melt the cheese, then serve.
Gina’s Tips For Recipe Sucess
- Cut potatoes and chicken the same size so they cook evenly.
- Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray so potatoes don’t stick when serving.
- Consider marinating the chicken in the seasoning mixture for at least 30 minutes to infuse more flavor.
- For better flavor and melting properties, choose freshly grated cheese.
- Distribute the toppings evenly to achieve a balanced flavor.
Variation Ideas
- Consider adding more vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or spinach to increase the nutritional value of the casserole.
- Instead of cheddar cheese, you can try other different types of cheese like mozzarella or pepper jack for the toppings. You also want to use cream cheese or sour cream for a different texture or flavor.
- If you like to cut down the calories and fat, opt for the breast part of the chicken instead of the thigh part. You can also use turkey as a leaner option.
- For spicy lovers, incorporate more spices like cayenne pepper and chili powder for the chicken seasonings.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this hearty chicken casserole recipe all on its own or pair it with a Fresh Corn Salad or Mixed Green Salad to cut down on the dish’s richness.
To finish with a sweet note, I recommend following your casserole with a warm Cherry Dump Cake with a scoop of ice cream or a slice of Millionaire Pie.
Storing Leftovers
According to the USDA, you can store your leftover chicken casserole in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge or 2-6 months in the freezer. If you have no airtight container, consider wrapping the dish with several layers of aluminum foil to keep out the frost. Make sure to cool down the casserole before storage to keep it from getting soggy.
To reheat leftovers, you can put them in the oven. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the top from burning, and reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes .
For small portions, you can use the microwave. Cover the leftovers with a microwave-safe cover and heat at medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. You can also use a large skillet with a splash of chicken broth to keep the casserole from drying out.
✝️ Biblical Reflections Table Talk:
Chicken Potato Casserole is the kind of meal that warms both the body and soul, providing comfort and nourishment for your family or guests. It reminds us of how God provides for all our needs. In Psalm 23:1, it says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Just as this casserole fills us up with wholesome goodness, God’s care provides us with everything we need in life. As you serve this dish, reflect on the ways God has provided for you and how you can share His comfort with others through acts of kindness and hospitality.
More Easy Dinners
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
Loaded Baked Chicken Potato Casserole
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 5 cups potatoes, peeled potatoes diced into small even sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 ounce dry ranch powder dressing mix, 1 packet, about 3 tablespoons
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs , cut into 1-inch pieces, could also use chicken breasts or a combination of both
- 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 teaspoon dried chives, or fresh (optional)
Instructions
Prep
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Prepare the Potatoes
- Peel and dice the potatoes into small bite-size cubes. Place the potatoes in a medium size bowl.5 cups potatoes
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the potatoes, then toss them to coat evenly.3 tablespoons olive oil
- Sprinkle ranch seasoing over potatoes and toss to coat well.1 ounce dry ranch powder dressing mix
- Spread the cut potatoes evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.
- Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Prep and Season the Chicken
- While the potatoes are baking, cut the chicken into bite-size cubes.1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the diced chicken to the bowl and toss to coat the chicken evenly with the seasoning mixture.
Combine and Cook
- After the potatoes have been baked for 40 minutes, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven.
- Pour the seasoned chicken over the potatoes and gently toss using a large spoon to mix everything together.
- Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
Cook Bacon
- Cook the bacon until crispy, then cut into small pieces.1/2 cup bacon
Add Toppings
- Remove the casserole dish from the oven once the chicken is done. Sprinkle the top evenly with the cheddar cheese, cooked bacon.1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Place the dish back into the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
- Let the dish stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow everything to settle and make it easier to serve. Sprinkle chopped dried or fresh chives on top.1 teaspoon dried chives
Notes
- Consider adding more vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or spinach to increase the nutritional value of the casserole.
- Instead of cheddar cheese, you can try other different types of cheese like mozzarella or pepper jack for the toppings. You also want to use cream cheese or sour cream for a different texture or flavor.
- If you like to cut down the calories and fat, opt for the breast part of the chicken instead of the thigh part. You can also use turkey as a leaner option.
- For spicy lovers, incorporate more spices like cayenne pepper and chili powder for the chicken seasonings.
Storing Leftovers
According to the USDA, you can store your leftover chicken casserole in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge or 2-6 months in the freezer. If you have no airtight container, consider wrapping the dish with several layers of aluminum foil to keep out the frost. Make sure to cool down the casserole before storage to keep it from getting soggy. To reheat leftovers, you can put them in the oven. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the top from burning, and reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes . For small portions, you can use the microwave. Cover the leftovers with a microwave-safe cover and heat at medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. You can also use a large skillet with a splash of chicken broth to keep the casserole from drying out.