A family-friendly easy prep and clean up meal that you can set and forget. This yummy chicken tater tot casserole recipe has all the good stuff – you can’t go wrong!
This recipe is a family favorite! My whole family really loves this recipe, and it can be modified easily to suit individual tastes. Add veggies, or don’t, change up the cheeses
Traditional tater tot casserole is made with ground beef. Instead we combine chicken and bacon, seasonings, half and half (instead of sour cream), and frozen tater tots in the slow cooker and cook while you handle other things during busy days.
I actually make this on weekends because of the shorter cook time. I like to spend time on weekends out and about, or doing things that need to get done. Having dinner in the crockpot is a great way to maximize your weekend hours, and the best part is that it’s hands off.
If you love chicken comfort food dishes, check out my skillet chicken pot pie!
Why you’ll love this recipe
This recipe contains no cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and has a quick and easy prep time.
What to serve with Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Serve with a salad, or some steamed vegetables, sautéed green beans as a side dish.
Kylee’s Notes
While slow cooking doesn’t make for incredible crispy tater tots, you can brown some up in the oven before serving if that is super important to you.
Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
For a different flavor, use packaged ranch mix in place of the garlic powder/seasoned salt/pepper. Add onion powder if you like!
Add some green beans towards the end of cooking time, if your family doesn’t incite mutiny at the sight of greens (sigh – ask how I know).
Garnish with parsley or green onions.
Store leftover chicken tater tot casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat until it is piping hot!
Key Recipe Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Tater tots. Grab a big ole bag of these from the freezer, no need to thaw.
- Bacon. I like thick cut bacon, that is cooked and crumbled. It’s kind of the best.
- Chicken. I use boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces, that become bite-sized pieces as they cook. Chicken thigh can also be used.
- Onion. Sliced thickly.
- Cheddar cheese. I prefer to grate my own for this for best melting results. It melts so much better than using store-bought, because it doesn’t have the fillers used to stop pre shredded cheese from sticking. However, any kind of cheese can be used. I like to use pepper jack cheese, and finish with hot sauce for a spicy change up.
- Garlic powder. Fresh garlic is a great sub if you wish!
- Seasoned salt. This is a seasoning blend, I suppose. It’s got salt, sugar, paprika, turmeric, onion and garlic. You can use ranch seasoning if you prefer.
- Pepper. I use coarse ground black pepper.
- Half & half. You can absolutely use milk if you must. You can also do a mix of chicken broth and half and half to make the creamy sauce, and add more flavor.
CONVERT FOR THE OVEN
This recipe can easily be converted for cooking in the oven. Simply add the ingredients in layers to a casserole dish or baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F, until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle (and 165 degrees F).
How to make this recipe
Scroll for Recipe
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Spray the slow cooker insert with cooking spray.
Layer the bottom of the slow cooker with 1/3 each of tater tots, cooked bacon, diced chicken breast, meat seasonings, sliced onion and shredded cheese.
Repeat until you use all your ingredients.
Pour the half & half or milk over the top.
Cover, and cook on low for 4-6 hours (depends on your crockpot – mine runs hot, and the chicken was 165 degrees at the 4 hour mark).
More easy recipes for the slow cooker
- Crockpot Cowboy Casserole. Quick to prep, this is a real family pleaser!
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Sweet, spicy, juicy and cooked low and slow until the meat falls off the bone in tender juicy deliciousness.
- Chunky Crockpot Chili Recipe. A rich, tasty crockpot chili that is easy to prepare and slow cooked all day. No long list of ingredients, you probably have them all in your pantry already!
- Crock Pot Pork Loin. Comfort food that cooks all day, ready to eat when you get home!
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken. A rich, deeply flavored, sweet, chicken dinner – that you fix, and forget! Make ahead and come home to a fabulous dinner to share with the family.
- Smothered Pork Chops. tender & juicy, covered in a flavorful onion gravy. Slow-cooked while you do other things.
- Chicken Tikka Masala. Delicious Indian inspired chicken tikka masala in the crockpot is a winner! Set and forget, except for the delicious smells coming from your kitchen!
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Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 28 ounces frozen tater tots
- 6 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 1.5 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (chopped into smaller pieces)
- 1 medium onion (sliced)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (grated)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper
- 3/4 cup half & half ((you could use milk))
Directions
- Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Layer the crockpot with 1/3 each of tots, bacon, chicken, seasonings, onion and cheese and repeat until you use all your ingredients.
- Pour the half & half or milk over the top.
- Cover, and cook on low for 4-6 hours (depends on your crockpot – mine runs hot, and the chicken was 165 degrees at the 4 hour mark).
Notes
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- For a different flavor, use packaged ranch seasoning in place of the garlic powder/seasoned salt/pepper
- Serve with a salad, or some steamed vegetables on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Update: This was originally posted in October of 2014, and has been updated to improve reader experience.
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