Description
This Cheesy Chicken and Potato Bake is the ultimate comfort food, bringing together tender chicken, soft potatoes, and a blanket of melty cheddar cheese, all kicked up a notch with savory bacon. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1.5 lbs Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, washed and cubed into 1/2-inch pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
Salt and black pepper
1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
6 slices cooked turkey bacon or beef bacon, crumbled
1/3 cup green onions, chopped
1/2 cup sour cream for serving
Instructions
Prepare your oven to 400F 200C and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Add the cubed potatoes and chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish. Drizzle everything with olive oil and then generously sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, tossing to ensure all pieces are nicely coated. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the chicken is fully cooked. Take off the foil, and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon evenly over the top. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for another 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Finally, garnish with the chopped green onions and serve with a dollop of sour cream.
Notes
Try to cut your potatoes and chicken into similarly sized cubes. This helps everything cook at the same rate, ensuring no potato is undercooked or chicken overcooked.
Always test the potatoes for tenderness with a fork before proceeding to the next step. If they aren’t quite tender, give them a few more minutes under the foil.
For an extra-gooey cheese topping, you can occasionally give the dish a gentle shake as it finishes baking, or even briefly turn on the broiler for the last minute (watching very carefully to avoid burning).
Don’t skip lightly greasing your baking dish. It makes a world of difference when it comes to serving and cleanup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-52 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American