Chicken bacon ranch loaded fries are a delicious loaded fry recipe that is perfect for dipping and sharing. Loaded fries start with a base of crispy french fries that are then piled high with flavorful toppings. The chicken bacon ranch loaded fries get their name from the toppings that make them so tasty – crunchy bits of chicken, savory bacon, creamy ranch sauce, and melty cheese.
Base Layer: Crispy French Fries
The base of any loaded fry recipe starts with perfectly cooked french fries. For chicken bacon ranch loaded fries, you’ll want to use fresh cut potato fries if possible. The fries should be cut into equal sized strips, between 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Thinner cut fries will get crispy and browned all over when fried. Thicker cut fries will have a fluffier interior with a crispy outer shell.
Preheat your oil to 350°F and fry the potatoes in small batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3-5 minutes per batch. Allow the excess oil to drain off and season immediately with salt. Crispy, hot french fries are the perfect vehicle for all the delicious toppings.
Chicken Topping
Diced cooked chicken is a quintessential topping for these loaded fries. Using already cooked chicken helps cut down on cooking time for this recipe. Rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken breasts, or baked chicken tenders all work well. Dice or shred the chicken into small bite-sized pieces.
For extra flavor, you can season the cooked chicken with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper before adding it to the fries. The small pieces of chicken add great texture, flavor, and protein to every bite.
Bacon Crumbles
What makes these fries “bacon” ranch flavored is the addition of crispy cooked bacon. For this recipe, you’ll want to cook bacon until nice and crispy, either in a skillet on the stove or baked in the oven. Allow it to cool slightly, then crumble it into small bits with your fingers.
The bacon adds a smoky, salty, savory crunch to the fries. Feel free to use regular sliced bacon or thicker cut bacon depending on your preference. Turkey bacon can also be substituted to make a lighter version.
Creamy Ranch Sauce
No ranch flavored anything would be complete without a creamy, herb-filled ranch dressing. You can use store-bought or homemade ranch dressing for this recipe. Pour it over the hot fries and let it melt into all the nooks and crannies.
To make quick and easy homemade ranch, simply combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 tbsp each chopped parsley, dill, chives, plus garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. The cool ranch sauce perfectly complements the hot fries.
Melty Cheese
To make these fries ultra cheesy and indulgent, shredded cheese is scattered over the top. Good melting cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey jack work best. The heat of the fries will melt the cheese into stretchy, gooey deliciousness.
For extra flavor, you can use a blend of cheeses like cheddar and Monterey jack. Feel free to get creative with cheese choices based on preferences. Just make sure to use a good melting cheese so it incorporates nicely over the fries.
Optional Extra Toppings
The core ingredients of chicken, bacon, ranch and cheese make a perfect loaded fry combination. But you can also add any of your other favorite toppings to customize them even further. Here are some tasty options:
- Chopped green onions – for flavor and color
- Diced tomatoes – for a pop of freshness
- Sliced jalapeños – for spice and heat
- Guacamole – for creaminess
- Sour cream – for tanginess
- Crumbled blue cheese – for sharp flavor
- Chopped cilantro – for fresh herb flavor
The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing loaded fries! Choose any toppings that complement the core ingredients.
Putting It All Together
Now that you have all the components ready to go, it’s time for assembly. Start with the hot french fries piled high on a platter or in a dish. Top with the cooked chicken, bacon crumbles, ranch sauce, and shredded cheese. Finish up with any other toppings you desire.
Serve the fries immediately while hot. Loaded fries don’t reheat well, so they are best enjoyed freshly made. Use forks for easy grabbing and dipping into any toppings that fall to the bottom. Enjoy this cheesy, savory, crunchy loaded fry recipe on game day, movie night, or anytime you crave a hearty appetizer.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Loaded Fries Recipe
Here is a summary of how to make chicken bacon ranch loaded fries at home:
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FAQs
What kind of fries work best?
For maximum crispiness, use fresh cut potato fries about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Steak fries or waffle fries also work well. Avoid shoestring and crinkle cut fries as they won’t hold up to heavy toppings.
Can I make them healthier?
There are a few substitutions to lighten up the recipe. Use baked fries instead of fried, turkey bacon instead of regular, reduced-fat cheese, and light ranch dressing. Going easy on the portion sizes also helps control calories.
How should I reheat them?
Loaded fries are best enjoyed right after cooking when everything is hot and melty. Leftovers don’t reheat well in the microwave because they get soggy. You can reheat in a hot oven but they won’t be quite as crispy.
Can I prepare the components in advance?
Yes, you can cook the chicken, bacon, and fries ahead of time. Store them separately, then assemble and top with cheese and ranch right before serving. This makes the recipe much easier for entertaining.
What dipping sauces go well with them?
The ranch dressing serves as a built-in dipping sauce. But you can offer extra sauces on the side like barbecue, buffalo, blue cheese, ketchup, aioli, or extra ranch.
Get Creative with Loaded Fries
Now that you know the basics of how to make chicken bacon ranch loaded fries, you can get creative and substitute different proteins, sauces, cheeses and toppings. Try pulled pork and coleslaw instead of chicken. Use blue cheese dressing rather than ranch. Top with chili and cheddar instead of bacon and Monterey jack. The possibilities are endless for customizing loaded fry recipes!
Loaded fries make the perfect shareable appetizer for game day parties, movie night with friends, or casual family dinners. They please big crowds with minimal effort. Fry up a batch for your next gathering and watch them disappear fast!