Irresistible Buffalo Chicken Potato Bake: A Hearty and Flavorful Casserole

Ingredients

• A spritz of cooking spray
• A generous 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
• A delightful 1/4 cup of creamy ranch dressing
• 2 tablespoons of zesty Buffalo wing sauce, like the beloved Frank's® RedHot®
• 2 tablespoons of aromatic garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon of flavorful onion powder
• 2 teaspoons of savory salt
• 6 Idaho potatoes, diced into 1-inch cubes
• 2 pounds of tender, boneless chicken breasts, also cubed into 1-inch pieces
• A pack of bacon, about 12 ounces, for that extra crunch
• 3 cups of shredded Colby Jack cheese for a gooey finish
• 4 green onions, finely chopped for a fresh touch

Step 1

Begin by preheating the oven to a high temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius) and generously greasing a 9x13-inch casserole dish with a light mist of cooking spray.

Step 2

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine a medley of oil, flavorful ranch dressing, zesty Buffalo wing sauce, aromatic garlic powder, savory onion powder, and a hint of salt to craft a delectable sauce. Toss in the potatoes, ensuring they are thoroughly coated before transferring them into the awaiting casserole dish.

Step 3

Next, tenderly place the chicken into the same bowl of tantalizing sauce, gently stirring to ensure each piece is enveloped in the flavorful concoction. Allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes.

Step 4

While the chicken is soaking up the flavors, let the potatoes roast in the preheated oven. Remember to give them a gentle stir halfway through the cooking process to guarantee they reach that perfect tenderness, which should take around 30 minutes. Once done, add in the marinated chicken and continue roasting, intermittently stirring, until both the chicken and potatoes are cooked to perfection; this should take between 15 to 30 minutes.

Step 5

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, sizzle up some bacon until it turns a delectable shade of brown, typically around 10 minutes. Once crisped to your liking, let the bacon strips rest on a bed of paper towels to drain off any excess grease.

Step 6

Proceed by crumbling the bacon into a bowl, where it will mingle harmoniously with a generous handful of Colby Jack cheese and some freshly sliced green onions.

Step 7

To finish off this culinary masterpiece, sprinkle the bacon-cheese medley over the potatoes and chicken, allowing it to bake until the cheese transforms into a gooey, bubbly blanket of deliciousness, typically around 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy your flavorful creation!