2 cups fiesta blend cheese: A mix of cheeses that melts beautifully and adds a creamy, tangy flavor.
1 cup crumbled bacon: Crispy and salty, it elevates the dish with its irresistible taste.
1 cup diced green onion: Adds freshness, a bit of crunch, and a pop of color.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Start by getting your oven nice and hot, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.
Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish
Spray a 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.
Step 3: Mix Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and hot sauce. Whisk together until well blended.
Add the cubed potatoes and chicken. Stir until everything is evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
Step 4: Transfer to Baking Dish
Carefully scoop the potatoes and chicken into the prepared baking dish. Spread them out in an even layer for uniform cooking.
Step 5: Bake
Bake the potatoes and chicken for 55-60 minutes. Stir every 20 minutes to ensure even browning and crispiness. While baking, fry your bacon until crispy.
Step 6: Add Toppings
Once the potatoes and chicken are fully cooked, remove from the oven. Top with cheese, bacon, and green onion.
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Allow the cheese to melt completely.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Remove from oven and let it cool slightly. Serve warm, and enjoy the delightful mix of flavors and textures.
Valuable Cooking Tips
Tip #1: Cut Evenly – Ensure your potato and chicken cubes are uniform in size to promote even cooking. Tip #2: Stir Frequently – Stirring every 20 minutes prevents burning and ensures all pieces are crispy. Tip #3: Bacon Perfection – Cook bacon until just crispy, as it will crisp up further when baked with the casserole. Tip #4: Cheese Melt Magic – For the best melt, use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage:
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: For longer storage, place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating:
Continue Reading in next page
