Loaded-Up Bake really does load itself up on the big flavors. The base is actually made up of crispy, buttery, golden potatoes, and then it’s a skyscraper of goodness from there! Layers of chicken, cheese, and bacon make each slice of Loaded-Up Bake a succulent, savory, melty, and sharp pile of delicious. You’ll want to load your plate with slice after slice of this dish!
Ingredients
- 6 cups russet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces bacon, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced thin, plus more, to taste, for garnish
- sour cream, to taste, for serving
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2 –Spray a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 3 –Add the potatoes to the prepared pan.
Step 4 –In a small bowl, add the butter, the paprika, the garlic powder, the salt, and the pepper and stir until combined.
Step 5 –Pour the butter mixture over the potatoes and toss until the potatoes are evenly coated.
Step 6 –Bake the potatoes until they are fork-tender, about 45-50 minutes.
Step 7 –In a large skillet over medium heat, add the bacon pieces and cook, while stirring occasionally, about 6-8 minutes.
Step 8 –Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain.
Step 9 –Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings in the skillet, draining the remainder.
Step 10 –In the skillet with the reserved bacon drippings over medium heat, add the chicken and cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 8 minutes.
Step 11 –Transfer the potatoes from the oven.
Step 12 –Turn the oven off and make sure it is closed.
Step 13 –Sprinkle 1 cup of the cheese over the potatoes.
Step 14 –Layer the chicken, the bacon, and 1/4 cup of the green onions on top of the cheese layer.
Step 15 –Sprinkle the top of the bake with the remaining cheese.
Step 16 –Return the casserole to the still-warm oven until the cheese melts, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 17 –Serve the bake garnished with the extra green onions and the sour cream.
