Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe for Ultimate Comfort

Creamy comfort meets crispy delight in this cracked out chicken tater tot casserole that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Layers of golden potato nuggets nestle perfectly between tender, seasoned chicken pieces.

Rich cheese melts into every delectable corner, creating an irresistible harmony of flavors.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing dish.

Minimal effort transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinarily satisfying.

Crispy edges, gooey center, and savory chicken promise a meal everyone will devour in minutes.

Buckle up for a seriously addictive casserole adventure that screams pure deliciousness.

Tips for Tots and Juicy Chicken

• Swap Bacon for Healthier Options: Replace bacon with turkey bacon or plant-based bacon alternatives to reduce saturated fat while maintaining delicious flavor profiles.
• Customize Protein Choices: Substitute chicken with rotisserie chicken, shredded turkey, or plant-based protein crumbles for versatile meal preparation.
• Control Sodium Levels: Use low-sodium cream of chicken soup and reduced-sodium ranch seasoning to make the dish heart-friendly and diet-conscious.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Select gluten-free cream of chicken soup and verify that ranch seasoning is certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Boost Vegetable Content: Mix chopped spinach, diced bell peppers, or frozen mixed vegetables into the chicken mixture for increased nutritional value and added texture.

Best Storage Practices for This Chicken Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent burning and ensure even heating.
• For quick reheating, place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

Tasty Pairings for Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

• Toss a light green salad with mixed lettuce, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the casserole's rich and creamy texture.
• Select a cold, light lager or wheat beer that cuts through the heaviness of the dish and provides a refreshing contrast to the cheesy, bacon-loaded casserole.
• Roast green beans with garlic and lemon zest to introduce a bright, simple vegetable side that adds nutrition and cleansing flavor to the hearty main dish.
• Whip up a quick ranch or blue cheese dressing for an extra layer of flavor that complements the bacon and chicken elements of the casserole.

Casserole Variations You Can Try Next Time

• Vegetarian Potato Swap: Replace chicken with plant-based protein like cubed tofu or tempeh, using vegetable soup instead of cream of chicken for a meat-free version.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute tater tots with roasted cauliflower florets, maintaining the cheesy, creamy texture while reducing carbohydrate content.
• Gluten-Free Modification: Use gluten-free cream of chicken soup, ensure ranch seasoning is gluten-free, and swap regular bacon for certified gluten-free bacon to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chilies, swap ranch seasoning for taco seasoning, and top with sliced jalapeños for a zesty, southwestern-inspired casserole.

Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole for Comfort Food Nights

• Delivers maximum flavor with minimal cooking skills required, perfect for beginners and busy home cooks.
• Combines beloved ingredients like crispy bacon, cheesy goodness, and crunchy tater tots into one satisfying dish that guarantees smiles at the dinner table.
• Offers kid-approved flavors and textures that appeal to all ages, making mealtime stress-free and enjoyable for parents and children alike.
• Requires simple preparation steps and uses convenient pantry staples, allowing you to create a delicious meal in under an hour without complicated techniques.

What You’ll Need for Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

• Chicken: The star of the casserole, providing hearty protein and satisfying texture.
• Bacon: Adds crispy, smoky flavor that complements the chicken perfectly.

• Cream of Chicken Soup, Sour Cream: Creates a rich, creamy base that binds the casserole together.
• Cheddar Cheese: Provides melty, sharp flavor and golden topping for the dish.

• Ranch Seasoning: Gives a zesty, tangy flavor profile to the entire casserole.
• Green Onions: Offers fresh, sharp contrast and bright color to the finished dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the overall taste of the chicken.

• Frozen Tater Tots: Creates a crispy, golden top layer that adds texture and comfort food appeal.

How to Bake Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Warm the oven to 375 Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly.

Step 2: Prepare The Chicken

• Chicken breasts
• Salt
• Black pepper

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook using preferred method until fully done. Chop into bite-sized chunks once cooled.

Step 3: Cook The Bacon

Fry bacon in skillet until crispy. Crumble into small pieces.

Step 4: Create Creamy Mixture

• Cream of chicken soup
• Ranch seasoning
• Sour cream
• Cooked chicken
• Crumbled bacon

Blend soup, ranch seasoning, and sour cream in large mixing bowl. Fold in chicken and bacon until completely combined.

Step 5: Layer The Casserole

Pour chicken mixture into prepared baking dish. Spread evenly. Sprinkle half the cheddar cheese across top.

Step 6: Add Tater Tots

Arrange frozen tater tots in single layer over chicken mixture.

Step 7: Bake The Casserole

Place casserole in oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until tater tots turn golden and cheese melts.

Step 8: Finish With Cheese

Remove casserole from oven. Scatter remaining cheese on top. Return to oven for additional 5 minutes.

Step 9: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle chopped green onions over casserole before serving.

Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets indulgence in this Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole, a hearty dish packed with savory flavors and cheesy goodness. Quick to prepare and perfect for family dinners, it delivers a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken (about 2 large chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken)
• ½ cup cooked, crumbled bacon (plus extra for garnish, optional)

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 (10.5 ounces/298 grams) can cream of chicken soup

Additional Components:

• 1 (1 ounce/28 grams) packet ranch seasoning mix
• 1 (32 ounces/907 grams) bag frozen tater tots

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure easy serving and cleanup.
2. Transform the chicken into tender, bite-sized morsels by seasoning and cooking thoroughly using your preferred method, then allow to cool slightly before chopping.
3. Render the bacon in a skillet until achieving a perfect crisp texture, then crumble into rustic pieces that will add a smoky depth to the casserole.
4. Create a luxurious base by whisking together cream of chicken soup, ranch seasoning, and sour cream until smooth and well-incorporated.
5. Fold the cooked chicken and crumbled bacon into the creamy mixture, ensuring each component is evenly distributed for maximum flavor in every bite.
6. Transfer the savory mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer to create a uniform foundation for the tater tots.
7. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken mixture, allowing it to melt and create a gooey underlayer.
8. Carefully arrange frozen tater tots in a precise single layer across the top, creating a crispy golden crown for the casserole.
9. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for the tater tots to turn a beautiful golden brown and the cheese to become delightfully bubbly.
10. Unveil the casserole and generously top with remaining cheddar cheese, returning to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to achieve ultimate cheesy perfection.
11. Add a final flourish of chopped green onions just before serving, bringing a fresh, vibrant touch to this indulgent comfort dish.

Notes

• Make ahead by preparing the casserole up to the baking stage, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking, which helps develop deeper flavors.
• Swap chicken for leftover turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken to reduce cooking time and add convenience.
• Customize the dish for gluten-sensitive diets by using gluten-free cream of chicken soup and checking ranch seasoning ingredients.
• Lighten the recipe by using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and low-fat cheese to reduce overall calorie content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 427
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 978 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 78 mg