Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Bake 😋
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds baby gold potatoes
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup prepared ranch dressing, divided use
- 2 cups Mexican Cheese blend
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ½ cup diced green onion
Instructions:
- Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spray a 9″x 13″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Potato Preparation:
- Dice the baby gold potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
- In a large bowl, mix the diced potatoes with salt, pepper, and ¼ cup ranch dressing.
- Scoop the seasoned potatoes into the prepared baking dish. Set aside the bowl for the chicken.
- Potato Baking:
- Bake the potatoes for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until almost thoroughly cooked but not fork-tender.
- Chicken Marinade:
- While the potatoes are baking, add the cubed chicken to the bowl used for potatoes.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and the remaining ¼ cup ranch dressing. Toss to coat.
- Assemble and Cook:
- After 30 minutes, remove the baking dish from the oven and lower the temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- Top the partially cooked potatoes with the raw, marinated chicken.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (use oven mitts, as the dish will be hot).
- Final Cooking:
- Place the covered baking dish back in the oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Cheesy Finish:
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and carefully uncover it.
- Sprinkle shredded Mexican Cheese blend evenly over the chicken, followed by the cooked and crumbled bacon and diced green onions.
- Melt and Bubble:
- Place the uncovered baking dish back in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Allow the Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Bake to cool slightly before serving.
- Scoop generous portions onto plates, making sure each serving has a mix of potatoes, chicken, bacon, and cheesy goodness.
- Garnish with additional green onions if desired.
Enjoy this delicious and comforting Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Bake! 😋
