Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This loaded 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. The kids will love this!

scoop of cheesy chicken casserole with tater tots

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

When I am rushing to get dinner on the table, I love that I can pull out this recipe, and have it ready quick.

And I know that everyone in the family loves the creamy sauce, 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.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my disclosure policy here.

picture of tater tot casserole ingredients with text overlay to label them

See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken – I have tested this dozens of time with diced chicken, shredded chicken, and I prefer it shredded. And for the best flavor, I use a seasoned rotisserie chicken from the deli. It saves prep time!
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)
Tater tots – Substitute shredded frozen hashbrown potatoes if needed.
Cheese – Cheddar cheese or substitute mozzarella or Monterey jack.

Follow us on Pinterest so you can easily save your favorite casserole recipes to your dinner planning board. And save a few of our other recipes while you are there!

How To Make Loaded Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

original recipe for chicken casserole ingredients in a bowl

Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, sour cream, chicken soup, ranch seasoning, bacon, shredded cheese, and tater tots.

large mixing bowl with casserole ingredients in it

Stir to combine. Be careful not to over mix or break up the tater tots.

spray dish with nonstick cooking spray before adding mixture

Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer.

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 cooking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

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 To Store

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I love to eat them for breakfast the next morning! Who says you have to have pancakes and eggs?

How To Freeze

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

Best 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.

Do I have to thaw the tater tots before adding them?

No, you don’t. Feel free to add them while frozen. It might make it a little harder to stir the ingredients but it will work. Check the temperature when cooking as you might need to increase the cook time slightly.

Tips for the Best Casserole

Use cooked chicken breast meat for best results.
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!
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.

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!

pinterest pin image for crack 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.

More Yummy 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!