Really hungry? Well, we’ve got something really hearty for ya! Loaded-Up Casserole is overflowing with the heartiest of hearty ingredients to ensure your hunger is gone with the last lift of your fork. It has chicken, it has potatoes, it has cheese, it has bacon, and of course, it has lots of savory seasonings that keep you coming back for more. Fill up that empty stomach of yours with this Loaded-Up Casserole! It’s the tastiest way to do it!
Ingredients
- 5 large russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup scallions, sliced
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 8 ounces Mexican-blend cheese, shredded, divided
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Step 2 –Coat a 9×11-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 3 –Add the potatoes, the olive oil, the garlic powder, the onion powder, the paprika, the black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt to a large bowl and toss until evenly coated.
Step 4 –Transfer the potato mixture to the prepared baking dish and bake until the potatoes are golden and fork-tender, about 25-30 minutes.
Step 5 –While the potato mixture is baking, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 10-15 minutes.
Step 6 –Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain and rest until it is cool enough to handle. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings from the skillet and discard the rest.
Step 7 –Finely chop the cooled bacon.
Step 8 –In a large bowl, add the chicken, the cream cheese, the water, the scallions, the hot sauce, the chopped bacon, the reserved bacon drippings, 1 1/2 cups of the cheese, and the remaining salt and stir to combine.
Step 9 –Fold the chicken mixture into the cooked potato mixture in the baking dish until well-combined.
Step 10 –Sprinkle the casserole with the remaining cheese.
Step 11 –Bake the casserole until the cheese has melted, about 10 minutes.
Step 12 –Set an oven rack about 6-inches from the heat source and switch the oven to the broiler.
Step 13 –Broil the casserole on high heat until the cheese is bubbling and brown in spots, about 3 minutes.
Step 14 –Serve.
