Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

• Family-Friendly Favorite: This casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! It combines all the well-loved flavors of chicken, bacon, ranch, and cheese in a comforting and satisfying dish.
• Weeknight Wonder: Short on time? No problem! This casserole comes together quickly and easily, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal on the table fast.
• Simple Ingredients: This recipe utilizes common pantry staples, so there's no need for a last-minute grocery run. Chances are you already have most of the ingredients on hand!
• Hidden Veggie Potential: Looking for a sneaky way to incorporate vegetables into your kids' diets? This casserole allows you to add chopped veggies like broccoli, peas, or carrots to the mix without compromising on taste or texture.
• Leftover Love: This casserole is a fantastic leftover option! The flavors meld even more overnight, making it perfect for lunch or a quick and easy reheated dinner.

Ingredients:

• Chicken Sensation:
• 4 cooked and shredded chicken breasts ( około 1.1 kg cooked and shredded chicken breasts)
• Bacon Bits of Goodness:
• 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (or microwave bacon)
• Tater Tot Tower:
• 32-ounce bag frozen tater tots
• Creamy Ranch Sauce:
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup ranch dressing
• 1 ½ cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). While the oven heats up, cook the chicken breasts according to your preferred method (boiling, baking, grilling, etc.) Once cooked, let the chicken cool slightly before shredding it with a fork or mixer.
2. Make the Creamy Sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour until it forms a smooth paste. Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and stir in the ranch dressing and half of the shredded cheese.
3. Assemble the Casserole: Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread a layer of shredded chicken in the bottom of the dish. Top the chicken with half of the creamy ranch sauce. Sprinkle half of the remaining cheddar cheese on top of the sauce.
4. Tater Tot Time: Evenly distribute the frozen tater tots over the cheese layer. Bake the casserole uncovered for 20 minutes.
5. Bacon and Cheese Bliss: While the casserole bakes, crumble the cooked bacon. After 20 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining cheese and crumbled bacon on top.
6. The Final Touches: Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
7. Serve and Savor: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly and prevents burning mouths! Then, grab a spoon and dig into this delicious and comforting Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole!