Name: Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound bacon cooked and crumbled; 1 pound cooked chicken diced into bite-size pieces; 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup (1 can); 1/2 cup sour cream; 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature; 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby jack cheese, divided; 1 cup mixed veggies, drained; 1/4 cup chopped green onions; 32 ounces frozen tater tots; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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.

A white rectangular baking dish is filled with a layered tater tot casserole. The top layer is made of golden brown, crispy tater tots arranged closely in neat rows, sprinkled with small pieces of cooked reddish-brown bacon and scattered green onion slices. Beneath the tater tots, melted orange and white cheese peek through, creating a creamy melted layer. The dish rests on a white marbled surface, with part of a white plate visible in the corner and a small white square dish holding chopped green onions nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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:

Flat lay of cooked crispy bacon strips crumbled, bite-size pieces of roasted chicken breast, a small white bowl of creamy chicken soup, a small white bowl of smooth sour cream, a block of soft cream cheese at room temperature, a small white bowl filled with shredded Colby Jack cheese, fresh green onions chopped into small pieces, a small white bowl of mixed steamed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn), a neat pile of frozen golden tater tots arranged symmetrically, sprinkled garlic powder and whole black peppercorns and coarse salt scattered artfully around, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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!

Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

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

A white plate holds a layered casserole dish portion with a creamy base mixed with chunks of light golden potatoes, crispy reddish-brown bacon pieces, and bits of orange shredded cheese melted into the top layer. Small golden brown tater tots are scattered on the surface, adding a crispy texture. Bright green chopped onions are sprinkled on top for color contrast. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a silver fork resting on its edge. Nearby, there is a white casserole dish showing more of the casserole inside, alongside salt and pepper shakers and fresh green onions in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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

cheesy chicken casserole - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen tater tots?

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.

How do I make this casserole gluten-free?

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.

Can I prepare this casserole in advance?

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.

What cheese works best in this recipe?

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.