Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

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This Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is easy to make and family friendly. Tender chicken, crispy bacon, creamy sour cream, and melted cheddar cheese all together in one delicious bite.

scoop of cheesy chicken casserole with tater tots

Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

This family favorite casserole is a winner for gatherings, potlucks, or when you need some comfort food after a long, busy day.

Made with cooked chicken that you can pull from the freezer or grab a rotisserie chicken on the way home to make it even easier.

Mixed with a creamy sauce, ranch flavors, smoky bacon, fluffy tater tots, and all topped with melted cheese!

​The best part is even the pickiest eater will love it, and everyone will want seconds and thirds.

Tater tot casseroles are a big hit in our house. If they are in yours, try my tater tot cowboy casserole, and my Big Mac tater tot casserole.

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plain chicken, dry ranch dressing mix, and other simple ingredients for a chicken casserole

Ingredients Needed

  • Chicken – Use shredded rotisserie chicken for added flavor and convenience. Substitute with cooked turkey if you prefer.
  • Sour cream – Substitute plain Greek yogurt if needed.
  • Cream of chicken soup Use cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup if needed.
  • Ranch seasoning – If you don’t have a ranch mix, make your own homemade (see notes below)
  • Bacon – Cooked crumbled bacon pieces. Use real bacon pieces not fake bacon bits.
  • Tater tots – Substitute shredded frozen hashbrown potatoes if needed.
  • Cheese – Cheddar cheese or substitute mozzarella or Monterey jack.
  • Green onions – Substitute with finely chopped regular onions or chives.

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How to Make Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, sour cream, chicken soup, ranch seasoning, bacon, shredded cheese, and tater tots. Stir to mix.
  1. Pour into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
  2. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until bubbly and the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve warm.

For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

crispy tater tots and ranch chicken

Serving Suggestions

This is delicious on it’s own but I like to serve mine with a green salad, and a side dish of vegetables like green beans, creamed peas, carrots, or broccoli.

Garlic bread is a great way to get all that creamy sauce!

How long does it last?

Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

This is also great the next day!

perfect for a crazy busy day!

Can I freeze it?

You sure can! Bake and cool the casserole completely. Wrap the casserole dish in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat.

You can also freeze before baking. Be sure to cook until the internal temperature is 165F or higher.

bite of amazing casserole next to a plate

Ways to Reheat

Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove any wrapping or packaging. Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil to keep it from drying out or getting too crispy on top.

Reheat for roughly 20-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Microwave: Heat individual portions in microwave-safe containers. Cover and microwave on high power in 1-2 minute intervals. Stir occasionally in between intervals. Microwave until the heated through.

Can I make it in the crock pot?

Yes, you can! Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and transfer to a slow cooker. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours until heated through.

casserole with scoop missing

Tips for the Best Casserole

  1. Use cooked chicken breast meat for best results or use leftover chicken.
  2. Cook the bacon until it’s crispy before chopping it into small pieces.
  3. Add some veggies like green beans or carrots if you like. Frozen mixed vegetables work great!
  4. Don’t skip the ranch seasoning. It adds lots of flavor!
  5. You don’t have to thaw the frozen tater tots before using.
  6. Use a deep 9 x13-inch pan or baking dish so it doesn’t bubble over.
  7. Grease the casserole dish to prevent sticking.
  8. Let it rest before serving. Makes it easier to dish out!
  9. Taking it to a pot luck? Use a disposable foil pan to bake it.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, pin this to your favorite casserole Pinterest board and share it on your favorite social media channels!

chicken tater tot casserole

This family favorite Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a must make for gatherings, potlucks, or for when you are craving some comfort food.

Craving More Casseroles?

I love the combination of chicken and potatoes. Usually I am a fried chicken and mashed potatoes kind of girl, but adding potatoes to a casserole is right up there too.

Not only does it balance out the recipe, much like rice or pasta, but there are so many different versions of potato to add.

Take this chicken hashbrown casserole that uses shredded potatoes. Or this buffalo chicken casserole with diced potatoes. This cheesy chicken broccoli potato casserole uses diced potatoes too. Not only that but you can use tater tots like this recipe. So many options!

scoop of chicken tater tot casserole over a dish

Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is packed with tender chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese, and a creamy sauce. Family approved!
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Course: Chicken
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 808kcal
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked chicken shredded
  • 16 ounces sour cream
  • 1 10.25 ounce can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 ounce ranch seasoning
  • 12 ounces bacon cooked and chopped
  • 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 32 ounces frozen tater tots
  • Sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  • Prepare a 9×13 with nonstick spray.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, sour cream, chicken soup, ranch seasoning, bacon, cheese, and tater tots.
  • Stir to mix.
  • Pour into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly.
  • Remove from the oven and garnish with sliced green onions.
  • Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use cooked chicken breast meat for best results. Or use leftover chicken.
  • Cook the bacon until it's crispy before chopping it into small pieces.
  • Add some veggies like green beans or carrots if you like. Frozen mixed vegetables work great!
  • Don't skip the ranch seasoning. It adds lots of flavor!
  • You don't have to thaw the frozen tater tots before using.
  • Use a deep 9 x13-inch pan or baking dish so it doesn't bubble over.
  • Grease the casserole dish to prevent sticking.
  • Let it rest before serving. Makes it easier to dish out!
  • Taking it to a pot luck? Use a disposable foil pan to bake it.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 808kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 28g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 1910mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g

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