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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure easy serving and cleanup.
- Transform the chicken into tender, bite-sized morsels by seasoning and cooking thoroughly using your preferred method, then allow to cool slightly before chopping.
- 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.
- Create a luxurious base by whisking together cream of chicken soup, ranch seasoning, and sour cream until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Fold the cooked chicken and crumbled bacon into the creamy mixture, ensuring each component is evenly distributed for maximum flavor in every bite.
- Transfer the savory mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer to create a uniform foundation for the tater tots.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken mixture, allowing it to melt and create a gooey underlayer.
- Carefully arrange frozen tater tots in a precise single layer across the top, creating a crispy golden crown for the casserole.
- 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.
- Unveil the casserole and generously top with remaining cheddar cheese, returning to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to achieve ultimate cheesy perfection.
- 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