Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Cozy and comforting Chicken Tater Tot Casserole - a perfect blend of creamy, cheesy goodness, tangy ranch, crispy tater tots and salty bacon. Made in the oven, this easy-to-make casserole is ideal for busy families and home cooks and promises a deliciously satisfying meal that everyone will love. 

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In This Post:

• ℹ️ Recipe Overview
• 🛒 Ingredients
• 📷 How To Make It
• 👩‍🍳 Recipe Tips
• 🥦 Serving
• 📝 Go To Full Recipe >>
• ⭐️ Comment On & Rate This Recipe

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Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

This cheesy chicken tater tot casserole is a heartwarming and comforting dish. Similarly to chicken bacon ranch pasta casserole, this is one of our non-Instant Pot recipes that we think you'll love.

Imagine biting into a tasty mix of tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and golden tater tots, all enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce. The sharp cheddar cheese adds a depth of flavor, while the ranch dressing mix introduces a hint of herbaceous zest. 

This casserole is super easy to make and is like a warm hug on a plate. Enjoy! 

👉 If you love chicken, make sure to try our other recipes like this chicken wild rice soup, poached chicken with creamy tomato sauce, or shredded chicken. Our Thai-style coconut lime chicken is an excellent dish.

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What You Need

• Shredded Chicken: The star ingredient, providing protein and a tender texture. Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver, or you can cook and shred your own chicken breasts. Check out our Instant Pot shredded chicken recipe and chicken breasts here. 
• Bacon: Adds asmoky, savory crunch. For a lighter version, turkey bacon can be used.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Brings richness and a tangy edge. You can substitute with milder cheeses like mozzarella or Colby for a different flavor profile.
• Tater Tots: The key to that coveted crispy texture. No direct substitute, but frozen hash browns could be used for a different twist.
• Sour Cream and Heavy Cream: These create a creamy base, with sour cream adding a slight tang. Greek yogurt can be a healthier substitute for sour cream.
• Cream of Chicken Soup & Ranch Dressing Mix: They provide creaminess and a burst of flavor. You can use homemade versions for a healthier option.

How to Make Tater Tot Casserole With Chicken

You will find the full recipe with ingredients and nutritional breakdown in the recipe card below. Here are step-by-step photos to guide you along.

• Preheat oven to 375 F / 190 C . Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking oil spray or grease with a little butter. 
• Whisk together the sour cream, heavy cream, cream of chicken soup, and dry ranch dressing mix.
• In a very large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, two-thirds of the chopped bacon, 2 cups of shredded cheese and frozen corn. 
• Add the cream mixture and stir until combined. 

• Fold in frozen tater tots. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish.
• Bake for 45 minutes. Add the rest of the cheese and bacon on top and place back in the oven for 5-10 minutes.
• Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

Recipe Tips

• You can use rotisserie or cook your own. 2 cups is equivalent to 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts.
• An easy way to shred chicken breasts is by placing them in the bowl of a stand mixer and using the paddle attachment to shred the chicken on low speed.
• Add veggies like peas, carrots, or broccoli or carrots for a nutritional boost.
• Try different proteins like ground beef or turkey for a twist on the classic chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole.
• For a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the cream mixture.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated, making it a perfect make-ahead family meal.

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Make-Ahead Tips

You can prepare this chicken tater tot casserole in stages:

• Prep the ingredients: Cook and shred your chicken, cook and chop the bacon, and shred the cheese in advance. You can do this a day or two before and store these ingredients separately in the refrigerator.
• Assemble the casserole: Combine your prepped ingredients with the sour cream, heavy cream, cream of chicken soup, ranch dressing mix, and frozen corn. Fold in the tater tots last to keep them from getting soggy. Assemble everything in your casserole dish.
• Refrigerate: If you're planning to bake the casserole within the next 24-48 hours, simply cover the assembled but unbaked casserole with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate.
• Baking: When you're ready to bake, remove the casserole from the refrigerator while you preheat your oven. This allows the casserole to come closer to room temperature for more even cooking. Then bake as directed in the recipe, possibly adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if the casserole is still cold from the fridge.
• Last-Minute Additions: Add the final layer of cheese and bacon on top just before the last few minutes of baking as directed, to ensure they stay crisp and flavorful.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this cheesy tater tot casserole hot, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color. It pairs wonderfully with a light green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness. For a heartier meal, serve alongside garlic bread or a simple tomato soup.

Full Recipe

Find the full list of ingredients, instructions, and a nutritional breakdown below. If you have questions or cook this recipe, please let us know in the comments, and make sure to rate this recipe so it’s easy for others to find. This recipe will feed 8-10 people.

Storage & Freezing Tips:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Reheat on low-medium heat until hot in the centre.
• Freezing: it is generally okay to freeze a cooked tater tot casserole, even though it includes tater tots that were previously frozen. Freezing cooked dishes that contain previously frozen ingredients is safe, provided the dish was handled properly in between. Cool down and freeze quickly in portions, well covered. 
• If you're planning to use the whole casserole at a later stage, it's better to assemble it and freeze it before cooking it. 

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