My cracked out chicken tater tot casserole is crazy good with a luscious creamy sauce mixed with bacon, chicken, and veggies. The sauce has Ranch dressing mix, sour cream, canned soup, and a little cream cheese.
What can go wrong? Nothing! Topped with cheese and crispy tater tots, this casserole has all the bells and whistles. This quick and easy recipe comes together fast, and your family will be hollering for seconds!
Who doesn’t love a good casserole for family dinner? They’re a lifesaver in my house. There’s enough to feed everyone well for dinner, and just enough to squeeze out a couple of lunches.
I hope you’ll try more of our tater tot classics such as our tater tot breakfast casserole, chicken tater tot casserole, Mexican tater tot casserole, and cowboy casserole next!
CRACKED OUT CHICKEN TATER TOT CASSEROLE INGREDIENTS
- Bacon: Any variety, any brand
- Cream of Chicken Soup: A staple in most homes. I used Cambell’s soup. Regular or Low sodium
- Cream cheese: I used Philadelphia brand, but any brand will do.
- Ranch dressing mix: The dry packet – Hidden Valley Ranch Original
- Milk: Whole milk for the creamiest sauce
- Sour cream: Regular or reduced fat
- Thyme: a member of the mint family, thyme delivers a balance of citrus, woody and floral notes.
- Poultry Seasoning: a pantry staple, this adds so much flavor to a chicken dish.
- Black pepper
- Frozen mixed vegetables: any brand, pick your favorite combination.
- Cooked chicken: shredded or chopped.
- Cheddar cheese: Block cheese, shredded. The pre-shredded cheese does not melt as nicely since it contains cellulose.
- Tater tots: Frozen, use your favorite brand.
STORING + FREEZING + MAKE-AHEAD
- How Long Can You Keep This in The Fridge? Once cooked and cooled, your Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot casserole will last up to four days in the fridge. But be sure you store your leftovers in airtight containers! This dish warms up nicely in the microwave oven.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes! The best way is to freeze this casserole before baking. When ready to cook, fully thaw then bake as directed. If you freeze after cooking, wrap tightly and store in the freezer. When desired, thaw completely then bake at 350ºF (177ºC) and bake for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Make-Ahead: My Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot casserole recipe is best right out of the oven but can be made ahead. Just store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, bake per instructions. It may take longer in the oven though, so add about 15 minutes or so to the baking time, when starting with a cold uncooked casserole.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.
TIPS
- Pan: Use a 9×13 baking dish and spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Cleaning up will be quick and easy.
- Yes! Add Them Frozen: The tater tots do not need to be thawed. Use them straight out of the freezer!
- Oven Placement: Place the dish in the middle rack of the oven. This will ensure even cooking.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
All you need to complete this meal is a simple green salad. I like to dress it with my super quick and easy balsamic vinaigrette recipe. It’s also great with our strawberry spinach salad, 1905 salad, marinated tomato salad, pizza salad, or broccoli salad.
If you’d prefer a really good cooked veggie, we like this with Texas Roadhouse green beans or crack green beans, broccoli cauliflower casserole, Tennesse onions, sauteed asparagus (with lotsa glorious garlic!!), or honey glazed carrots.
HOW TO MAKE TATER TOT CHICKEN CASSEROLE
- Cook the bacon and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, milk, sour cream, thyme, and seasonings.
- Stir in the vegetables and cooked chicken.
- Mix.
- Transfer the mixture to the baking pan.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken mixture.
- Arrange the tater tots in a single layer. Bake.
- Serve.
***See the full instructions below.
MORE CRACK CHICKEN RECIPES
ALL OUR CASSEROLES
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Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 6 slices chopped bacon
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 (1-ounce) packet dry ranch dressing mix
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (12-ounce) bag mixed frozen vegetables, thawed and well drained
- 4 cups cooked chicken cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, chredded
- 1 (30 to 32-oz) bag tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º (177ºC) Spray a 9X13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
- Cook the bacon (6 slices) in a skillet until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Save bacon drippings for another use or discard.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup (1 can), softened cream cheese (1 block), ranch dressing mix (1 ounce pack), milk (3/4 cup), sour cream (1 container), dried thyme (1/2 teaspoon), poultry seasoning (1/2 teaspoon), and black pepper (1/2 teaspoon) until smooth and well combined.
- Stir in thawed and drained vegetables (12 ounces) cooked chicken (4 cups), and cooked bacon (6 slices).
- Spoon mixture into prepared baking pan.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese (2 cups) over the chicken mixture then arrange tater tots (32 ounces) in a single layer over shredded cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes, or until bubbly.
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- Pan: Use a 9x13 baking dish and spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Cleaning up will be quick and easy.
- Yes! Add Them Frozen: The tater tots do not need to be thawed. Use them straight out of the freezer!
- Oven Placement: Place the dish in the middle rack of the oven. This will ensure even cooking.
Nutrition
On your phone? Check the web story here.
Directions left out adding the ranch packet and bacon.
Thanks Jo. I’ve fixed the recipe. Thanks so much for letting me know!