🥔✨ Cheesy Chicken & Potato Bake ✨🥔
Golden, crispy edges… soft, cheesy center… tender bites of chicken all wrapped in comforting potato goodness. This dish is hearty, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for gatherings, holidays, or any time you need something warm and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (or 4 cups frozen hash browns)
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk or cream
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the potatoes – If using fresh potatoes, parboil in salted water for 5 minutes, then drain well. If using frozen hash browns, thaw and pat dry.
- Make the filling – In a mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and half the cheese. Mix until well coated.
- Layer the bake – Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased baking dish, spread half the potatoes in an even layer. Add the chicken mixture on top, then the remaining potatoes.
- Top with cheese – Pour melted butter evenly over the top, sprinkle remaining cheese generously.
- Bake – Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until golden and crispy on top.
- Garnish & serve – Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, broil for the last 3 minutes.
- You can swap chicken for ham, turkey, or cooked sausage.
- A mix of mozzarella and cheddar gives both melty texture and sharp flavor.
Tips
- Dry potatoes well before baking — excess moisture can make it soggy.
- If making ahead, assemble and refrigerate; bake when ready to serve.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully in an air fryer for crisp edges.
Servings
Serves 6 generous portions.
Nutritional Info (per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 24g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 560mg
Benefits
- High in protein for sustained energy.
- Comfort food that still includes a good balance of carbs and protein.
- Easy to prepare for large gatherings.
Q & A
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Yes! Swap the chicken for mushrooms, spinach, or roasted veggies.
Q: Can I freeze it?
A: Absolutely — assemble, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 15–20 minutes to cook time.
Q: Can I use sweet potatoes instead?
A: Yes, but note they’ll be slightly softer and sweeter.