Loaded Chicken & Tots

Name: Loaded Chicken & Tots
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 5
Ingredients: 16 ounces tater tots, frozen; 1 head broccoli, cut into florets; 2 tablespoons olive oil; kosher salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 6 slices bacon; 1 pound chicken tenders; 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; chives, optional, to taste, chopped, for topping; sour cream, optional, to taste, for serving

45-Minutes Baked Cheesy

Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 5 servings

About

Some recipes need paragraphs to explain why they're delicious. Other recipes — such as, say, the one for Loaded Chicken & Tots — simply rely on their names to show you how tasty they'll be. Honestly, going into detail about the crispy, golden-brown tater tots, roasted herbaceous broccoli, tender seasoned chicken, and sharp cheddar that combine to make this dish delicious just feels redundant. The title, Loaded Chicken & Tots, says it all... apart from the fact that it takes less than 45 minutes to make, which is just an added bonus!

Ingredients

16 ounces tater tots, frozen
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
2 tablespoons olive oil
kosher salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
6 slices bacon
1 pound chicken tenders
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
chives, optional, to taste, chopped, for topping
sour cream, optional, to taste, for serving

Directions

Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Step 2 -On a rimmed baking sheet, spread the tater tots evenly and bake until crisp and golden, about 25 minutes.

Step 3 -While the tater tots cook, on a second rimmed baking sheet, toss the broccoli with the olive oil and season with the salt and the pepper.

Step 4 -After the tater tots have baked for about 5 minutes, put the broccoli in the oven and roast until charred and tender, about 20 minutes. This way, the tater tots and the broccoli should be finished cooking around the same time.

Step 5 -While the tater tots and the broccoli roast, heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat.

Step 6 -Cook the bacon slices until crisp, about 7-8 minutes.

Step 7 -Drain the bacon on paper towels, then break it into pieces.

Step 8 -Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat and drain the rest from the skillet.

Step 9 -In a large bowl, toss the chicken tenders with the paprika and the garlic powder, then season with the salt and the pepper.

Step 10 -Heat the reserved bacon fat in the skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 11 -Place the seasoned chicken tenders in the skillet and cook until browned on all sides, 1-2 minutes per side.

Step 12 -Combine the baked tater tots and roasted broccoli onto one rimmed baking sheet in an even layer, then top evenly with the chicken tenders.

Step 13 -Sprinkle the chicken layer with the shredded cheddar.

Step 14 -Bake until the cheese is browned and bubbly and the chicken reads 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer, about 5 minutes.

Step 15 -Top with the bacon pieces, the chives, and the sour cream.

Step 16 -Serve hot!