Description
Loaded Baked Potato & Chicken Casserole is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal combining tender chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners, it blends the flavors of classic loaded baked potatoes with protein-rich chicken in an easy-to-make, family-friendly casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (breast or thighs)
Potato Base
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (preferably warm)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Cheese & Toppings
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup bacon bits, crispy
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook and shred or dice your chicken breasts or thighs. You can poach, bake, or pan-fry the chicken, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Mash the Potatoes: Use leftover mashed potatoes or freshly boil and mash potatoes until smooth and creamy. Stir in butter, sour cream, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enrich the texture and taste.
- Mix the Casserole Base: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, mashed potatoes, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and seasonings. Mix until well blended.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the chicken and potato mixture into a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the crispy bacon bits, remaining cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions on top.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- Use warm mashed potatoes for smooth binding.
- Don’t skip bacon; it adds essential smoky crunch.
- Season each layer well; adjust salt and spices to taste.
- Let the casserole rest 5-10 minutes before serving to set slices.
- Use high-quality sharp cheddar or other meltable cheeses for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: loaded baked potato casserole, chicken casserole, comfort food, cheesy casserole, easy dinner, one-dish meal