Creating Loaded Chicken and Potato Casserole is straightforward if you follow these steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare Dish: Grease a large casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
3. Mix Potatoes: In a large bowl, combine the diced potatoes with sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until the potatoes are well coated.
4. Add Chicken: Fold in the shredded chicken, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the potato mixture.
5. Layer Casserole: Pour half of the potato-chicken mixture into the greased casserole dish. Spread it evenly.
6. Add Cheese: Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the first layer.
7. Add Bacon (Optional): If using, sprinkle crumbled bacon over the cheese layer.
8. Repeat Layers: Add the remaining potato-chicken mixture as the second layer and top with the remaining cheese.
9. Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes.
10. Uncover and Continue Baking: After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
11. Garnish: Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle with sliced green onions if desired.
12. Serve: Dig in while hot and enjoy the incredible flavors!

Following these steps will guide you in creating this wonderful casserole effortlessly.