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.
How is this as a side dish without the chicken?
Any ideas on the extra crock pot time if the recipe is doubled?
I am thinnking about making this for a high school football team potluck dinner.
This was a HUGE hit with the whole family!! Even my picky eater who doesn't usually eat casseroles liked it! I wasn't sure about how much flavor this would have since there wasn't much to it, so I added a can of cream of chicken soup to the milk. So easy to put together for a very tasty meal! Definitely a keeper!!
I do think this isn't a set it and forget it meal, even though its in a slow cooker… mine took about 4 hours and it had a nice crust on the bottom, I feel if it were to cook too much longer it would be burned. Also I thought it looked a little moist at the end, so I took the cover off for a little bit (about 10 minutes or so) with the cooker still set on low and it came out perfect!
This recipe is just okay. It is pretty blah, flavor-wise, and needs something to make it more creamy and flavorful. Mine was really done at the 3 hour mark, so watch the time on this recipe, depending on the type of crock pot you have. The potatoes on the bottom were no longer in tot form, but were mushed up pieces of what used to be tots. Also..there were definite layers….tots, chicken, mush…..it would have been better if it had all been incorporated into a casserole instead of layers.
I have made this many times in the crock pot and it comes out perfect every time. I do recommend 3-4 hours versus 6 hours though, I had the chicken can dry when I first made it and let it go for over 5 hours while I was gone… Season the chicken any way you want to, I also use some garlic powder and soemtimes some hot sauce to kick it up even more.
I made this in the Dutch Oven while camping this last weekend and boy oh boy was it a hit! First of all, everybody there loves tater tots so I had them from the beginning! Add cheese, bacon and chicken (I pre-cooked it)and you can't possibly go wrong! I forgot the milk but in hindsight it worked out perfect, the tater tots were crispy on both the top and the bottom! I highly recommend this to any Dutch Oven cooker out there, it's a camping meal you'll add to every trip!
I doubled the recipe and put it in my large crock pot for 5 hours on low, we came home from Church and the house smelled awesome. Everyone in my family loved it!! I had some leftovers and some other family members came over the next day and we warmed the leftovers up and added a little sour cream and some chopped green onions…..yummy!! Everyone loved it. Definitely will be making again and again. Thank you so much!
~Theresa
I followed the recipe exactly except added about a 3rd of a packet of ranch dressing mix over each layer – so yummy. NO leftovers. Thanks for the idea, don't care much for traditional tater tot casserole.
Brandie,
I'm new to your site as of last week. Just tried this recipe last night and it was AMAZING. My 6- and 9-year old step daughters went back for secods & thirds! They loved it. We are having leftovers tonight, and the girls are excited! I can't wait to try some of your other recipes; already have a few on my list! Thank you!
This is definitely a keeper!! I have made it several times now and the hubby and kids love it! I love crockpot recipes! It's like having a helper in the kitchen! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Do the tators come out soggy?
They come out mashy not soggy. I know that sounds crazy but it was amazing! I made it today and LOVE it.
This sounds so good. I just printed it out to make soon. We are in the process of moving and are living in temporary housing while we look for a house to rent and the little bitty oven they have in here doesn't work for me, so using my crockpot will certainly help out. Thanks for the recipe and I'll comment again after I have cooked it.
If you i make this in the oven and double it how long should i cook it for and what size of pan?
My family and I just enjoyed this for the first time. The recipe is a keeper and I look forward to tweaking it a bit for our tastebuds. I've got some sweet potato tater tots I might try next time!
I made this for my Bunco group and they all loved it. Everyone asked me for the recipe. They only thing I did different was use more than 1 pound of chicken and I added one chopped shallot. Delicious!
Any know a general calorie count for one serving after it it is cooked?
Put in my super old crockpot on low at 1:30 so hope we can eat 6:30-7:00! Thank you for sharing, don't know how it can't be liked by my husband and teens!
I've done it with Ranch seasoning several times (crock & oven). Gives it an awesome flavor. I mix it with the milk then drizzle it on the chicken as I put down the layers. I've even served it with Ranch potatoes lol! I also put a few TB of butter on the bottom of the crock for a nice crustiness that melts in your mouth!
I had everything in the crock pot 2 hours in and it hits me i forgot the milk!! I rushed in and put the milk in. I hope it still turns out ok. I will add results later.
So it actually turned out good even with the late entry of the milk. Wasnt as moist or saucy as I think it would have been but was still very good. 2 thumbs up from my boys.
I've actually started making mine with more milk than is called for. I'm not sure why, but mine was coming out awfully dry in places, added about 1/3 Cup more milk and it's perfect! As with anything, you have to tweek it for your kitchen. You're right too, it IS so GOOD!
Got it in the crock pot now……Looks wonderful. Can't wait till it gets done! YUMMMMM
Trying this recipe in the oven for the first time. I sauteed the chicken first with a little fajita seasoning adding a little more over the layers of tater tots along with mexican blend cheese. The kids and wife were all commenting on the smells before it hit the oven. Fingers crossed!
Hi Brandie! I'm making this right now, it will be the third time I've made it for my family (they love it)! I was wondering if you have ever used Ranch seasoning in the recipe? I had about 3/4 of a package of dry Ranch seasoning so I decided to sprinkle it on my chicken. I'm sure it will be delicious, as is most anything with Ranch on it. LOL I was just curious if you've had it this way or heard of someone making it this way? Thanks for posting!! Faithful Follower, as always, Kim
Made this tonight. It was so delicious even my picky 3 year old ate everything on her plate.
This is in the crock pot for dinner tonight!
I made this tonight and it was a hit in my house specially since my kids do that like new things but I added a ranch seasoning mix an more cheese and it was delicious my kids even asked me to make it again 🙂
This was very tasty and easy. I assembled everything except the milk last night; my son added the milk and turned it on at noon today. We ate by 6pm, the chicken was perfect, tender & moist. I don't think this is a very healthy meal, so it won't be served too often, but it's definitely a recipe I will use again!
Anytime I am on Pinterest & see a recipe I want to try, it turns out being one of yours!!! Lol I have this in the crock pot now. Started it on high since my chicken was a bit frozen but have turned it to low! I added some dried minced onion, poultry seasoning, garlic powder & an all purpose seasoning not only on the chicken but the tots as well!! I am excited to see how this will turn out! Am also making your butter dip biscuits to go with!!! Lol
Shelley – thank you for taking the time to write such a sweet comment. I really hope you love all the recipes you try from here!
Making this for the 3rd time in as many weeks.. we love it!
That is so great!!
tried this for me, my hubby, and our 2 year old son and we all loved it!!! making it for a 2nd time tonight.
Woo hoo! So great to hear!!
I am trying the Tater Tot/Chicken Casserole for the first time, it has been going for 2 hours, do you at anytime stir. Thanks.
Awe – I just love hearing that! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know. And the best kind of praise always comes from the kiddos. Love it! ~Brandie
I just made this for dinner, and it was AMAZING. It was devoured by the entire family, including my fairly picky 6-year old. In fact, his comment was, "Mom, you could open a restaurant with this. And by that, I mean that you are a food genie!" (He's very generous with his praise when he like something, LOL.) I actually used half and half, as my only other option was skim milk, and I thought that might be too thin. It turned out perfect. I realized that a big part of what I liked about it is that it reminded me of a cheesy hashbrown casserole my mom makes that I LOVE – except that it's so rich it upsets my stomach after a few bites. This was cheesy and gooey, but not so much so that it felt too rich. Great recipe!
My family really enjoyed this recipe! Thank yoou! The only thing was I got confused with the cooking times, cause I have a newer crock pot and that gives you the choice of cooking on high for 4 or 6 hrs, or low 8 or 12 hrs. So I wasn't sure which one to do, I went for the high on 4, a little over cooked but it was still very yummy. My picky eater even ate it.
Just because it says high 4 or 6 hours or low 8 or 12 hours does not mean you actually have to cook it that long. Put it on low and check after about 3-4 hours. If done, turn it off.
Gonna make tomorrow. Will be great addition to recipe list as I gave up red meat for lent. Always looking for great ideas for chicken!
Hi Kim – I don't see why not? The bacon just adds flavor to this dish that we really enjoy. However, I think you could certainly add onions to this dish and still really enjoy it. 🙂 ~Brandie
Just wondering if you think it would still taste right if I left the bacon out and put onions in instead? We don't eat bacon and was trying to figure out a substitute that would still taste good and add flavor. Any other suggestions?
-Kim
peppers and onions
So easy & super YUMMY! My non-casserole eating 10 yr old had SECONDS!
Kristi – I'm not sure if you can tell by my ingredient picture above, but I use those Oscar Mayer bacon pieces. They are already precooked.
tiffany – take a piece out and test it. With the amount of time it is in the slow cooker, it is more than enough time to get it done. But when all else fails, pull a piece out and use a meat thermometer for accuracy. I haven't made this in the oven but I believe a commenter above has tried it and it took about an hour and half. But once again, a meat thermometer is the only true way to gauge whether your meat is cooked thoroughly. 🙂 ~Brandie
Did you use raw or precooked bacon?
Hi im new to cooking and was wondering how will i know if the chicken is done enough to eat since it will be smothered in all that stuff. also If i was to cook it in the oven what temp and time would work. how will i know its done.
Made this for dinner tonight, it was good! But for those of you who say they dont like tater tots, till they are done cooking they are just potatoes! At least mine anyways…they did not stay in tater tot form at all!
I made for dinner tonight & it was delicious! It only took about 3 hours in my slow cooker. Definitely will be making again!
Absolutely delicious. Used seasoned salt on the chicken and had to substitute Velveeta for the cheddar but it still was incredible. Didn't know how tots would turn out in a crockpot so bought the extra crispy ones. My family devoured it and the next day fought over the leftovers.
Can you or have you ever used frozen chicken in the slow cooker? Wanting to make this today, it's cold and snowing so would be warm on the tummy! Thanks
Can you prep this as a freezer meal and add the milk later?
This is awesome…the recipe is delicious. I will be making this again 🙂
Made this tonight and it was DELISH! I was a little unsure of how it would be with just the milk poured over top. DELISH! My tater tots did kind of break down into potato bits, but really good. I will definitely make again! AND I believe it's all gluten free!
So happy y'all love this one. And I love the changes you've made to really make it your own. So many great ideas!
This recipe was great. I added a can of cream of chicken and can of rotel to the milk. I poured half over the first layer of tater tots added the rest over the top of the second layer of tater tots. My family loved it!!!
That sounds delicious! Definitely going to try that when I make it tomorrow 🙂
I think a packet of ranch seasoning would put this over the top……I'm so making it for dinner!
This is one of the best recipies for the Crock Pot that I have tried in a while…I added some mixed veggies (the typical Tator Tot type) and it was so good! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!!