Nothing quite beats the comforting layers of golden tater tots, melty cheese, and savory chicken all baked into one warm dish. The Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is the kind of recipe that feels like a big hug on a plate - easy enough for weeknights, but impressive enough to share with friends and family.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've been making variations of this casserole for years, and it never fails to bring smiles to the table. The creamy, cheesy filling paired with crispy tater tots on top makes it a total crowd-pleaser, whether for family dinners or potlucks.
- Savory and Comforting: Cream cheese and sour cream add a velvety richness you won’t want to miss.
- Simple Prep: Uses easy pantry staples, so you can pull this together even on busy nights.
- Textures That Delight: Crispy tater tots on top with creamy, cheesy chicken underneath make every bite exciting.
- Versatile: Customize it with your favorite veggies or different cheeses for a personal twist.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This casserole is a perfect blend of creamy, cheesy, and crispy layers. Each ingredient plays its part in balancing flavor, texture, and ease of preparation. Here’s why I love them together:

- Bacon: Adds smoky crunch and a punch of savory flavor to every bite.
- Cooked Chicken: Tender protein that keeps the casserole hearty and satisfying.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: The base that adds moisture and depth without any fuss.
- Sour Cream: Brings tangy creaminess that lightens up the richness.
- Cream Cheese: Melts to silky perfection, binding all ingredients beautifully.
- Colby Jack Cheese: Mild and melty, it ensures gooey deliciousness throughout.
- Garlic Powder & Seasonings: A little punch that wakes up the flavors without overpowering.
- Mixed Veggies: Adds color, nutrients, and a little crunch—feel free to swap based on what you have.
- Green Onions: Freshness and subtle bite to balance the richer elements.
- Frozen Tater Tots: The golden crispy topping everyone loves, so much better than plain breadcrumbs!
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about the Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I love swapping veggies based on the season or adding my favorite cheese blend for different flavor profiles.
- Veggie Swap: I often sub mixed veggies with fresh broccoli florets or peas when those are in season, which adds a wonderful pop of color and freshness.
- Spice It Up: Sometimes I sprinkle in a bit of smoked paprika or cayenne to give it a gentle kick without overwhelming the creamy flavors.
- Cheese Variations: Using sharp cheddar or pepper jack instead of Colby Jack gives it a tangier, bolder taste that I really enjoy for game day.
- Make It Lighter: For a lighter version, I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and reduce the amount of cream cheese, and it’s still rich and creamy.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Cook and Prep the Key Players
Start by making sure your bacon and chicken are cooked. I usually pan-fry the bacon until crispy and then crumble it - it adds that perfect salty crunch. Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for extra ease—just dice it into bite-size pieces so every forkful gets a good amount.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Filling
Preheat your oven to 350ºF and grease a 9×13" casserole dish. In a large bowl, blend together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, softened cream cheese, one cup of shredded cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. This makes a luscious base that coats the chicken and veggies beautifully.
Step 3: Combine Chicken, Veggies, and Bacon
Fold in the mixed veggies, green onions, diced chicken, and most of your bacon crumbles—save some for the topping! Mixing these ingredients gently keeps everything evenly distributed without smooshing the tater tots later on.
Step 4: Assemble with Tater Tots and Bake
Spread the creamy mixture evenly in your casserole dish, then cover with a layer of frozen tater tots. Pop it into the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the tots are a gorgeous golden brown and crisp.
Step 5: Final Cheese and Bacon Touch
Remove the casserole briefly and sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon over the top. Return it to the oven for about five more minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbly, irresistible topping. Then, serve right away while it’s perfectly warm and gooey.
Top Tip
Over the years, I've learned a few tricks that really elevate this recipe and help avoid common pitfalls. These tips make the magic happen effortlessly.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the creamy base and chicken, fold gently to keep the texture light and avoid a soggy casserole.
- Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese blends more smoothly, creating that perfect creamy texture without lumps.
- Layer Tots Strategically: Make sure to evenly distribute tater tots so they crisp up uniformly, and don’t overlap too much.
- Bake Covered Initially: If your tots brown too fast, loosely cover the dish with foil during the first 30 minutes to prevent burning and then uncover for the crisp finish.
How to Serve Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Garnishes
I often sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or extra green onions on top when serving. Sometimes a spoonful of tangy sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce brings a lovely contrast that lifts each bite.
Side Dishes
To balance the richness, I like a crisp green salad or roasted seasonal veggies on the side—simple and fresh. A tangy coleslaw also pairs beautifully with the cheesy, hearty casserole.
Creative Ways to Present
During holidays, I’ve served this casserole in mini individual ramekins topped with little herb sprigs, making it feel extra special for guests. It also works well as a potluck dish—you can assemble it at home and bake upon arrival for a warm welcome.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep well covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend storing them in an airtight container to maintain moisture and prevent the tater tots from getting soggy.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this casserole both cooked and uncooked. Wrapped tightly, it freezes well for up to 2 months. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before baking or reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop leftovers in a 350ºF oven for 15–20 minutes, uncovered. This revives the crispy topping and warms the layers without drying them out. Microwave works too but can make the tots less crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You could, but tater tots are specially processed to crisp up beautifully during baking. Fresh potatoes would require boiling and shredding or slicing, changing texture and cook time significantly.
Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but check your cream of chicken soup and seasoning labels to be certain. You can find gluten-free cream soups or make a homemade sauce easily for peace of mind.
Absolutely! Assemble the casserole a day ahead, cover it tightly, and keep it in the refrigerator. When ready, bake according to the instructions — just add a few extra minutes if it’s cold from the fridge.
Colby Jack is a great choice for its meltability and mild flavor, but sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a Mexican cheese blend all work wonderfully if you want to tweak the flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe is a sincere favorite in my kitchen because it hits all the right notes: comforting, flavorful, and easy to customize. I hope you enjoy making this as much as I do—it’s the kind of meal that welcomes everyone to the table and keeps them coming back for seconds.
Print
Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This hearty Chicken Tater Tot Casserole combines savory bacon, tender chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and crispy tater tots into a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 pound bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 pound cooked chicken diced into bite-size pieces
Dairy & Dairy Alternatives
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup (1 can)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups shredded Colby jack cheese, divided
Vegetables
- 1 cup mixed veggies, drained
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
Frozen
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Meat: If bacon and chicken are not cooked, cook them first. Then dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and crumble the cooked bacon.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350ºF and spray a 9x13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make Creamy Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cream cheese, 1 cup of shredded Colby jack cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until smooth.
- Mix Ingredients: Stir in the mixed vegetables, diced chicken, chopped green onions, and all but ½ cup of the crumbled bacon into the creamy mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and evenly top with frozen tater tots.
- Bake: Bake the casserole for 45 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Add Toppings and Finish Baking: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheese and ½ cup bacon crumbles over the casserole, then bake for an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately while hot and bubbly.
Notes
- This recipe assumes precooked bacon and chicken; you can use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or onion powder to the creamy mixture.
- Ensure the mixed veggies are well-drained to prevent a watery casserole.
- You can substitute Colby jack cheese with cheddar or a cheese blend of your choice.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Calorie estimate is based on 10 servings; nutritional values may vary depending on ingredient brands.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 casserole
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg







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