Satisfy your comfort food cravings with this delicious and easy recipe for Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. With layers of tender chicken, crispy tater tots, and melted cheese, this hearty one pan meal will quickly become a family favorite.
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Comfort food is warm, familiar, and satisfying, often bringing a sense of nostalgia and childhood memories. This Tater Tot Chicken Casserole is just that! Not only does it come together in no time, but its a family favorite and often reminds me of the nights where mom would make dinner and we used the street lights as signal that it was time to head in for dinner! The perfect dish to prepare ahead of time, refrigerate, or even as a freezer meal for later!
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Ingredient Notes
Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed to make this simple Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. To see exact ingredients with step by step directions, scroll to the bottom or click the “jump to recipe” button at the top.
- Chicken– shredded chicken works best for this recipe, however, diced cooked chicken works great too. To save on time, you can use a Rotisserie chicken or leftover meat from a previous meal. If you prefer ground beef, that is a great option also.
- Sour Cream– I use low-fat sour cream, however, regular works great too. You can also use plain Greek yogurt or an additional can of cream of chicken soup as a substitution option.
- Cream of Chicken Soup– if you want to change it up, you can use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup.
- Ranch Mix– you’ll want to use the dry seasoning mix and not Ranch dressing. You will need 1 ounce of seasoning.
- Bacon– cooked and crumbled, feel free to save time by using bacon bits or make things a bit healthier by using turkey bacon.
- Cheese– shredded sharp Cheddar cheese is my go-to, however, you can use a mixed blend or any other shredded cheese desired.
- Tater Tots– this is the star of the show, you’ll need a 32 ounce bag of frozen tater tots. No need to thaw, just toss them in.
- Black Pepper– season to taste, you can also add additional seasonings such as salt, garlic powder, or onion powder based on desired taste.
Making Tater Tot Casserole with Chicken
Prepare. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Combine Ingredients. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.
Assemble. Spread mixture in an even layer into prepared dish.
Cook and Serve. Place pan into oven and allow to cook for about 40 minutes, or until everything is hot and the shredded Cheddar cheese is melted. Remove from oven and serve!
Storing and Prepping Ahead
If storing leftovers, allow the casserole to fully cool before covering pan and storing in the refrigerator. You can also transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Leftovers will last about 4 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, heat in the microwave using 30 second increments until heated through. To freeze, store in a freezer safe container and be sure to date and label! It’ll keep for up to 3 months. Allow to defrost in the fridge prior to reheating in the oven until warmed all the way through. If making ahead of time, assemble casserole as directed and cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in fridge up to 4 days. Bake as directed, however, you may need to add additional cook time if the casserole is chilled.
Tips for Success
- Use freshly shredded cheese versus the pre-shredded bags. The bags are coated in a non-stick additive and the cheese doesn’t melt as evenly.
- If you want to keep things simple, add a few boneless skinless chicken breasts to your slow cooker or Instant Pot and shred once cooked. I love to do this a few times every month and store the chicken in my freezer for quick meal options like this one.
- Feel free to use a large cast iron skillet instead of a baking pan. I use a 12-14 inch skillet if my 9×13 baking pan is in the dishwasher.
- To make this a complete meal, you can stir in 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, frozen peas, broccoli, carrots, green beans, etc.
- If you’re looking for sides to serve with this, try my Crispy Parmesan Brussel Sprouts, Lemon Garlic Asparagus, or Bacon Wrapped Green Beans!
More Casserole Recipes to try
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole– with a few simple ingredients, you can have a comforting and satisfying meal on the table in no time!
Italian Noodle Casserole– a pasta recipe that comes together in no time using simple ingredients! Seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, tender egg noodles, and cheese combine into a beef noodle casserole recipe the entire family will enjoy!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole– packed with flavor and combines chicken, pasta, ranch seasoning, crumbled bacon, and cheese in a tasty dish! Using only a few simple ingredients, this casserole is quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights!
French Onion Chicken Casserole– tender chicken, rich French onion flavors, and a crispy topping, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight main dish. With less than ten simple ingredients, it’s also great for meal prep to enjoy lunches throughout the week!
Bubble Up Pizza Casserole– a quick and easy meal option using refrigerated biscuit pieces, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings! Using a few simple shortcut ingredients, this casserole can be oven ready in only a few minutes!
Crock Pot Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole– easy to make and the ultimate dish anytime of the day. Add in some cooked meat to make it a complete meal, or serve as a side!
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Loaded Tater Tot Chicken Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups chicken *cooked/shredded or chopped
- 16 oz sour cream
- 1 can cream of chicken soup *10.75 oz can
- 1 oz dry Ranch mix
- 1 cup Bacon *cooked/crumbled
- 2 cups cheddar cheese *shredded
- 2 lb frozen tater tots
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.
- Spread mixture evenly into prepared pan.
- Place pan into preheated oven and bake for about 40 minutes.
- Remove and serve!
Nutrition
Marie says
Do the Tater Tots need to be defrosted?
Kristin says
Nope! No need to defrost! Enjoy!
Betty says
Love this. Just don’t get the concept of leftover bacon.
Kristin says
Haha, bacon is almost never leftover in my house. My husband must have snuck it into the freezer when I wasn’t looking hence why I found it and had to use it up ASAP. Everything is better with bacon, right?? Hope you enjoy!!
Charlotte speer says
can you use bacon bits
Kristin says
Absolutely! That is a great shortcut option! Enjoy!