Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Name: Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 250 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 32 oz bag frozen tater tots; 1 3 oz bag bacon pieces; 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (diced); 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 3/4 cup milk; salt & pepper (to taste)

July 2, 2012 by Brandie @ The Country Cook 246 Comments

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5 from 6 votes

Before we get started, let me explain that I’ll be using the term “slow cooker” is used interchangeably with “crock pot.” Crock Pot is a brand name of a line of slow cookers. So sometimes you’ll see me call it a crock [ot and other times I’ll call it a slow cooker. It all means the same thing. Are you still with me? Good! Let’s continue!

Crock Pot Cheese Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

During the warm summer months, I get a lot of reader-requests for slow cooker meals. And because I love y’all so much, I do my best to oblige. When the sun is a-blazin’ during summer, lots of cooks are looking for ways to conserve energy and not heat up the house. And a slow cooker is the way to go. It’s also great for folks who may need their oven for other things they might be baking. For example, you can have this meal going in your slow cooker and still be baking a dessert the oven. And many slow cookers are fairly inexpensive. I have one of the most basic models they sell and it only cost me about $25 and it works just fine. Slow cookers come in a range of sizes. You can even get fancier ones that are all digital. They are neat and fun to play with, but honestly, if you are new to slow cooking, a basic 6- quart model is all you need and it will work just fine. Oval slow cookers are the way to go and will suit almost all your needs and it cooks more evenly than a round model.

Now, onto the recipe. Y’all, this 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. And the taste is so pleasin’. You just gotta try it and let me know what you think. In my house, this is kid and hubby-friendly.

Ingredients:
1 (32 oz.) bag frozen tater tots
1 (3 oz.) bag bacon pieces
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup milk
salt & pepper, to taste

I’m using bacon pieces here, but feel free to use the bacon you enjoy. Sometimes if I fry bacon, I’ll make a double batch and use leftovers for this or sandwiches. Microwave bacon works just fine too.

Directions:

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 & pepper.

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.

Cook’s Note: To make in the oven: spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Then layer ingredients into baking dish. Cover and bake at 350F degrees for about an hour to an hour and a half.

Enjoy!