Crock Pot Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
This Crock Pot Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a family favorite. Tater tots, cheese, chicken and bacon. A whole meal in one!
A DELICIOUS SLOW COOKER MEAL!
This cheesy chicken tater tot casserole is so good. I just don’t know how else to describe it. It is cheesy. It is bacon-y. And you got your chicken and taters all together so it is a whole meal in one. You just gotta try it and let me know what you think. In my house, this is a kid favorite!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)
I don’t recommend it. If you need more, just make it in a second crock pot.
You can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and cut the cooking time by a couple of hours.
It’s important to season the chicken well with salt and pepper or any other seasoning you prefer, like cajun seasoning or blackened chicken seasoning.
To make in the oven: spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Then layer ingredients into baking dish. Don’t add the milk. Cover and bake at 350F degrees for about an hour to an hour and a half.
A fresh, crisp green salad or your favorite veggie like these Glazed Sweet Potatoes or this Roasted Cauliflower.
I don’t recommend it. Everything would be starting from very cold and the slow cooker insert could crack from going from very cold to hot.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Leftovers can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- frozen tater tots
- bacon pieces
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- shredded cheddar cheese
- milk
- salt and pepper
HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT CHICKEN TATER TOT CASSEROLE:
Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray
Layer half of the frozen tater tots on the bottom of the slow cooker.
Sprinkle with 1/3 of the bacon pieces.
Now top with 1/3 of the shredded cheese.
Add diced chicken on top. Season with salt and pepper. Note: This is a good place to add your favorite seasonings. I think Cajun or blackened seasoning work well.
Now add 1/3 of the bacon pieces and another 1/3 of shredded cheese. Put the rest of the frozen tater tots on top. Finish with the remaining 1/3 cheddar cheese and remaining 1/3 of bacon pieces.
Pour 3/4 cup milk all over the top.
Cover and cook on low about 4-6 hours. Please note: Some slow cookers run at different temperatures. If you are using an older slow cooker (older than about 6 years old), your cooking time may take longer. Newer models run a bit hotter so keep an eye on this around the 4 hour mark. You want to make sure the chicken is cooked thoroughly (to 165F degrees.)
Look at all that cheesy goodness on top. Serve with your favorite veggies and a fresh, green salad.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Tater Tot Enchilada Bake
- Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
- Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie
- Tachos (Tater Tot Nachos)
- Loaded Tater Tot Cups
- Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole
- Poppy Seed Chicken
- Jalapeño Popper Tater Tot Chicken Casserole
- King Ranch Chicken Casserole
- 30 Comforting Casseroles
Originally published: July 2012
Updated photos & republished: February 2020
Crock Pot Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 32 ounce bag frozen tater tots
- 3 ounce bag bacon pieces
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (diced) diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup milk
- salt and pepper, to taste
- any other seasoning you prefer (like cajun or blackened seasoning)
Instructions
- Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Layer half of the frozen tater tots on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle with 1/3 of the bacon pieces.
- Now top with 1/3 of the shredded cheese.
- Add diced chicken on top and season the chicken with salt and pepper and any of your other favorite seasoning.
- Now add 1/3 of the bacon pieces and another 1/3 of shredded cheese.
- Put the rest of the frozen tater tots on top.
- Finish with the remaining 1/3 cheddar cheese and remaining 1/3 of bacon pieces.
- Pour 3/4 cup milk all over the top.
- Cover and cook on low about 4-6 hours. Then serve.
Video
Notes
- To make in the oven: spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Then layer ingredients into baking dish. Don’t add the milk. Cover and bake at 350F degrees for about an hour to an hour and a half.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Leftovers can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Can I prepare this the night before then add the insert milk to crockpot in the morning
I’ve never tried it I’m sorry. And with the high price of groceries these days I would not want to guess and you waste money because it didn’t turn out. I only like to say for sure if I’ve personally done it.
Love this recipe. So easy and simple to put together
can you use cream of chicken instead of milk?
Hmmm good question. Cream of chicken is a lot thicker. I think you should be able to maybe but I just haven’t tested it. If you try it please let me know! 🙂
Has anyone made it in the oven, I would like to double it and put in the oven. Why would you not add milk then
When I bake this in the oven when should the cover be removed to make it cripy? can’t wait to try this recipe out. <3
could you try this with chicken broth instead of milk?
I suppose you could but I have never tested it with chicken broth it so I never want anyone to waste ingredients if I haven’t personally tried it. If you decide to experiment, please let me know how it turns out.
Delicious!! Thank you for sharing!!
5 Stars! I used rotisserie chicken seasoning, cooked on low for 6 hours. YUM!!! The chicken just falls apart in your mouth. I will be making this repeatedly trying other seasonings. SO GOOD!!
My dad and used to make this together years ago and he passed away and now I make this for my fiancé. I made it for him for the first time 3 years ago and he loves it and requests it about once a month. So this recipe hold a special place in my heart, thank you <3
Delicious. Kids loved it!
Could you use chicken broth instead of milk? I’m reading that the milk might curdle. However, with all the positive comments this must not be a problem.
Thank you
Becky
I’ve never had a problem at all with curdling. Hmmm…I’ve only ever made it this way so I couldn’t tell you to be honest.
Is the milk added in for a creamy mix or does it help break down the chicken? I only ask cause I often substitute butter milk for regular milk in recipes and the check comes out great! Thoughts?
It’s a little bit of both. It helps soften the whole mixture a bit. Buttermilk wouldn’t be a good substitute here in my opinion (and I am one to use buttermilk a lot – ha!)
This has been a family favorite for a few years now. We always add onion powder and garlic powder to every layer as well because of family preference, but it’s amazing as is too
Extra seasoning is never wrong – LOL Love hearing that Joy! I really appreciate you taking the time to come back and comment!
To make this a freezer meal do I have to cook this prior to putting it in the freezer ? Or can I layer it up in a baking dish raw and cover it and then freeze it?
Do you mean to cook it in the oven or the crock pot?
Can u double this,for a larger serving? In a 7 quart crockpot
You could try but I wouldn’t recommend it. The problem you can have is when there is so much, the bottom might begin to burn while waiting for the stuff on top to finish cooking. You’re much better off borrowing another person’s crock pot and just making two pots of it.
One of our favorites! Would love recommendation on how to prepare in a pressure cooker/air fryer! 🙂
Can’t wait to try this. Nice to see a casserole that doesn’t use cream soups. I am lactose intolerant
I have an Instant Pot, not a Crock Pot. Is it the same cook time in the Instant Pot slow cooking setting? Or are any adjustments needed? This looks delicious!
definitely not thesane. either use the oven or crock-pot… personally I prefer the oven method. I like the tops crispy.
I know it’s years later but for others wondering this, yes. it works just fine in my instant pot on the slow cooker setting. I happen to have the one that has an air fry attachment on it too, but thats just a bonus, it’s fine without it. I’ve made this tons of times. as written, with extra chicken (just add a bit more milk) with frozen veg added, it’s always worked out great.
Love it
I’ve had this recipe saved since 2015 🙂 We had a long time ago and loved it, so I found it again and it’s in the crockpot right now. It should be high for four hours. Otherwise, it’s delicious and we love it!
I have fixed this and it’s great.
I made this recipe for the second time today, but I didn’t have any bacon or cheddar cheese on hand. What I *did* have though, was some sliced deli ham and some shredded swiss. So, I turned it into an impromptu chicken cordon bleu. I coated my chicken in some honey mustard sauce before adding it to the crock pot, and it added a nice flavor throughout. Everything else, I kept the same. I still may go back to the original recipe on occasion, but the newer twist was a hit, too.
Brava Christine!! Sounds absolutely perfect!!
Tater tot casserole is a favorite here too! I like to use taco seasoning on the chicken (or ground beef or ground turkey or chicken) for a bit of a jazzy kick. It’s all good !
My whole family loves this recipe! I generally do not plan ahead, so I often bake this casserole in the oven because I’m short on time and don’t have 6 hours for the slow cooker. You can cook the chicken ahead of time, tho, so you don’t have to wait so long. I’ve made it both ways in the crock pot and as a casserole in the oven baking it at 350 degrees. It’s great either way!
I’ve made this a few times. Big hit with the kids and husband. Big hit with me cause it’s so easy!
My family loves this recipe! I found we liked it with more chicken so we used 1.5-2 lbs of chicken. We also added a 1/2 cup of chopped onion and substituted garlic salt for regular salt.
Do you cook the chicken before putting it into the crock pot?
Hi Katie – nope, you don’t need to. However, if you already have cooked chicken breast, it will work fine in this recipe – just cut down the cooking time by about an hour or so. 🙂
This is an all time favorite of my family. Easy to make which is great for busy moms.
Made this for a birthday party and everyone loved it!
Wow!!! This would be perfect to cook for my cheese, chicken and bacon lovers in my family !! I’m adding and bookmarking this recipe for sure!! I love this site.
Can I do this in the oven? If so what would temp would I do and for how long and is everything the same then?
My sister has cooked this with hamburger meat n cream of mushroom soup in the oven & it’s awesome! She cooked the meat first n drained it then set the temp as the tater tot bag says. It turns out so good each time. So in my opinion you can use any type of meats. She also adds the cheese, bacon in layers…If you wanna try hamburger meat some time for your family. Hope you don’t mind me replying back to your fans! I mean no disrespect.
I love your recipes
Can I substitute the dark chicken meat instead of the white?
I dont like the texture of tater tots, could I use southern style hash browns in their place?
HI Georgianna – I haven’t tried that actually. I am sure you could – let me know if you give it a try!
Can I use almond milk for this instead of cow’s milk?
Hi Kaitlyn, yes you should be able to. Just make sure it is unsweetened/unflavored. 🙂
I tried doubling this once, and it was very greasy. Any idea what I added too much of?
Too much cheese. If cheese cooks too long (and there’s a lot of it) it starts to separate and you get a lot of oil.
I love this recipe really easy to make . I use the slow cooker so my question is if I want to double the recipe does the time change I usually do 4hrs have any body try to double the recipe for 8hrs?
Hi! Currently making this. Wondering if you can cook on high instead and for how long?
Is this something you think that could be frozen for meal prep meals and still be good?
HI Tiffany! That is a really good question. I don’t see why not. As long as you are wrapping it really well before putting it into the freezer it should work. Then add on some additional cooking time since you’re cooking from frozen. If you try it, I’d love to know how it turns out!
Would you recommend freezing in a freezer bag, and then dumping into the crock pot, or freezing in a baking dish, and then baking it? If so, how long would you bake it for, and what temperature?
Hi Kathy, you could do it either way. If you decide to bake it, you’d have to play the timing by ear. I haven’t actually cooked it from frozen so I can’t actually say. My guess would be at 350f degrees for perhaps 45 minutes to an hour…
Just made this for dinner and it was delish! The ONLY thing I did different was after cutting up the chicken I mixed it with a packet of dry ranch dressing to give it a little “oomph!” I omitted the salt and pepper. It was so good!
Hello,
This is a family favorite and we’ve made it MANY times 🙂 Has anyone converted this for the Instant Pot? I’d love to be able to make it faster as I always forget how long it takes in the crock pot. Thank you in advance for your ideas!
Amanda:)
I’m wondering if you’ve ever added a package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix. I’m going to try this for the first time tonight and wondered if I might try it that way. Thanks!
I haven’t but I have had others do it and they enjoyed it!
Very good as is. The best part about this meal is how easy it was to prepare. Who doesn’t love a simple potatoes, chicken and cheese recipe that requires very little work and almost no time? As I said, the best part is how easy it is to make. Just dump everything into the crockpot and go. But, if I have more time the next time I prepare it, I’ll probably make a few additions. I’m thinking next time I’ll add green onions, ranch powder, cubed cream cheese and maybe some sour cream! Overall, great recipe for those busy days/nights.
I’m in the middle of this & realized I don’t have any cooking spray; any suggestions?
Just wondering when you cook it in the oven do you still use the milk?
Hi Kindelle! No – you don’t add the milk. It’s just used in the crockpot so the chicken doesn’t dry out. 🙂
Great thank you I’m trying this tonight!!
Hello! This recipe looks wonderful. I will be making it on Sunday. I was wondering can I add a can of cream of chicken and a dollop of sour cream to the milk? Also, could I use ham instead of bacon?
You can substitute ham 4 bacon but it wont be as smokie tasting.& if you add the cr chicken soup may change consistency a bit. BUT YOUR WAY SOUNDS GOOD TOO!
Hi everyone I have a dilemma, so i want to make this now and i realized that I don’t have milk so my question is: Can i substitute regular milk with evaporated milk instead? Please help????
You sure can! 🙂
We don’t have tater tots in England, are they basically just frozen potatoes?
They are like precooked balls or nuggets of hash browns