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.
Will it be fine if i cook this dish overnight? About the ingredients, which is the substitute of cheddar cheese in this recipe!?
Thanks for this recipe. My family loves this one. I have made it twice so far.
The first time I followed the instructions. Yummy!!!
The second I added chopped onion and cut the milk back because of the water in the onion. YUMMY!!!!!!!
Seriously a family favorite. Thanks again for such a yummy dish.
The onion was a sweet onion and I only used half over the chicken.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to let me know you love it! It really means so much!
Brandie, what size slow cooker did you use? Didn’t know if I should use a bigger 6 quart, or if it would fit in a smaller 4 quart? Want to make sure I get it right! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks.
For this recipe you should be able to get by with a 4 quart.
Can the chicken be frozen when added to the slow cooker or does it need to be thawed?
Unless the chicken is already cut up, I would say that partially frozen would be fine. You can still chop up if it is partially frozen. Hope this helps.
I love that you converted it to an oven recipe. So glad it was a hit with the little one.
Just made this tonight, I cooked it in the oven at 375 degrees for an hour and a half, in a pyrex 9×13 clear glass dish covered in foil.
I cooked it covered for the first hour and removed the foil for the last 30 mins and sprinkled a little more cheese to the top to brown and crisp up. I skipped the milk since I was not using the slow cooker.
This was delish! I have a 12 yr old who is VERY picky and she loved it too!! She gobbled it up and asked for seconds.
Next time I may add the 3 cheese blend to kick up the flavor some more, or possibly add garlic salt to the chicken.
I made this today. All three of my boys made a point of telling me how amazing this was. First time ever getting this reaction! Didn't even ask them for opinion. Will be a regular menu item.
How can something so simple be so doggone good? I have made this exact recipe a multitude of times. The first time I was shocked at how good it was. I now replace the cheddar with Velveeta, just because we like the 'melt' better. When it is possible, I also buy the extra crispy tots, but it really doesn't make a huge difference. This has become one of my and the family's absolute favorite meals.
Hi, thinkong of making this in the oven tonight. Any tips on how to do this or what not to do?
Thanks.
I'm a slow-cooker newbie. And as newbie, what did I do? I searched for the easiest way to use my new cookware but I have another criteria. It'd better be good. Why? Coz my boy is such a picky eater. I stumbled upon your recipe and I have to tell you that your recipe turned out really good!
I'm trying this one for Monday night solely because it does NOT call for cream of chicken soup! Seems like every crock-pot recipe on pinterest calls for that stuff & it's just awful.
I think I will be adding some corn too just add a veggie. Sounds great, can't wait!
How many people will this feed?
Delicious. Made it in the oven and it turned out great. Husband wanted to know if there was enough left for another meal. There was plenty.
Do you cook the chicken first
THIS IS A AWESOME RECIPE! I used the oven instead of a slow cooker. I also kicked it up a notch with real bacon fried up and cut into pieces than saute some onion, green pepper and mushrooms diced up real small in part of the bacon grease and saved the other bacon grease for frying the chicken pieces in til no longer pink ( 15 min) . Than I layered in the baking dish as stated in the recipe. Baked 30 minutes Covered with foil at 350' than uncovered the dish and baked 15 min. more at 300' uncovered. Thanks so much for sharing this delicious recipe!! Hubby and I loved it!!!
I baked mine in the oven and I mixed a can of cream of chicken soup and a small container of sour cream with just enough milk to make it pourable. I poured it over the top of all the layers. My family loves this recipe!!!!
Making it tonight for dinner… Super nervous because I'm pregnant an to me it stinks lol!!! Crossing my fingers it turns out! Put it in at 230- hoping it'll be done by 7- when the hubs gets home!!! I did "tweek" it an add to my chicken… Salt pepper garlic powder an paprika… Will post after dinner how it turns out for future people wondering! 🙂 thanks for the recipe!
Man alive, this thing is GOOD! My husband kept saying "This is so good, I feel like it should be bad for me." But it's NOT! Whoop! I didn't use as many tater tots, because I didn't have them. Mine was done between 4-5 hours. Thank you! Going straight into my Favorites file. 🙂
How many people will this feed ?:)
I have made this twice in the past week, and it was fabulous! The 2nd time I added more chicken, seasoned it with season all, and sprinkled a little ranch over it before adding the cheese.
I have been making this for over a year now and it is a regular favorite of my family. kids love it! i always bake mine in the oven though and it has come to the point that i have to make it every other weekend my step kids love it so much!
I love this recipe and have made it before. However, I have actual potatoes I need to use and would love to use the potatoes next week if I can in the casserole. What would I change time wise or do with potatoes if I use them rather than the frozen tater tots?
I just put this in the crockpot for dinner! Easy to put together, and I had all of the ingredients on hand!
So 4-6 hrs on low is enough to cook the chicken? Most recipes are 4-6 on low or 8 on high it seems so I just want to make sure!
I make this on a regular basis and the whole family LOVES it! I've added my own twist by adding a packet of dry ranch dressing mix sprinkled over the chicken layer. Adds a delicious seasoning! 🙂
Hello! I saw this on Pinterest and I'm trying it tonight. I want to make it my own so I'm gonna try adding onion and chive cream cheese and a ranch packet to the recipe and probably top it with fried onions(what I have on hand). Will post after tasting… Fingers are crossed, wish me luck!
I just came across your recipe through Pinterest and, well, I was going to make something else for dinner tomorrow night but I've changed my mind…LOL!! From all of the positive comments you've received, I'm confident that this recipe will be a winner with my family as well!! 🙂
Anyone know if you can use frozen chicken?
I use grated frozen hash browns. Yummy.
Can you make this without the bacon bits and still have it come out right?? I don't have any on hand and it's too cold to go out to the store to get any…. Might substitute the bacon bits with a little garlic seasoning???
does anyone have the nutritional info on this? Sounds amazing but trying to watch my calories so just wondering . Also how many servings is this recipe?
I've been making something similiar for years!!! What I do is use. 9×13 Pyrex lay chicken breasts on the bottom mix a can of cream of mushroom and a can of cream of chicken and spread all over the chicken. (I don't like mushrooms and you can't even taste them! It's more just for flavor and texture! Then I later the frozen tots on and cheese then bake!!! Always delicious!!! But I can't wait to try this version!!!! I was just thinking I wonder if it would be good to add maybe 1/4-1/2 can of cheddar cheese condensed soup instead of cream of chicken as others were suggesting? Or maybe 1/2 and 1/2. Hmmm!!! Idk I'm going to okay around with it tonight and I'll let you know how it came out! Thanks!!!! Love all of your recipes!!!!
Oh, Brandie… Brandie, Brandie, Brandie. Between you & Christy over at SouthernPlate.com, I'm never gonna fit into my wedding dress.
@Paula, I agree with you about the BBQ sauce. I'm making this recipe for the first time tonight, & I think I'll use the milk to thin out the sauce a little. We'll see what happens!
My first instinct was: i want to try this with BBQ sauce instead of milk. Whaddya think?
This looks and sounds delicious. I don't really care to use a crock pot but I still have a set of those waterless, greaseless cookware that was popular many years ago and anything that I can use a crock pot for I can use these the same way. I will cook a roast in it all night and it will be tender the next morning cooking on low. Best cookware I've ever had. I also saw a Banana Poke Cake that looks great. Thank you for all the great recipes.
Wondering if pork and sweet potato tots would make a good substitute…maybe throw in a couple of chipotles and Mexican cheese mix
Brandie I have followed u the longest of any other blogger and I make a lot of your recipes. I have this in the crock now. I am beginning to worry if it will be done in time for dinner after reading all the posts…Oh well I'll have tomorrows dinner done.lol
I absolutely love that there are pictures!!! It makes cooking so much easier to see if we need to add more or less ingredients to our liking. 😀 We are making it tonight, can't wait to try it.
Baked this in a deep 3 qt. baking dish, took two hours. Love, love, LOVED it! Thanks, so much. I've been using your recipes a lot lately. Thanks again.
I love this site. And I also love that you put the directions for cooking it in the oven also. I don't do Pinterest, but I will share your post on Facebook and recommend your page to my friends. THANKS!
Can't wait to try this recipe!
I'm not sure if I did something wrong or not, but mine came out really dry and bland. I added more cheese and more milk and it ended up creamy and more flavorful. Also, my tots didn't stay together and after five hours of cooking they still tasted frozen. Suggestions? Just cook longer next time? The chicken came out really tasty though.
Delicious recipe! Just for fun I think I'll change the flavor a little by adding some salsa. Then I might try a version adding some mushrooms. This is a fun recipe because you can add to it and create a seemingly new dish.
I've made this both in the oven and more recently in the crock pot, and I have to say it is much better in the oven. I also added Cream of Chicken soup diluted with the milk and it makes it so flavorful and yummy.
Super delicious recipe! Instead of the bacon pieces, I cooked 6 pieces of bacon and put it on the top in stead of in the middle of the casserole. Adults loved it and kids loved it! Easy recipe with great results!
Has anyone done this with ground beef? Did you pre cook it or leave it raw?? Thanks!
This looks delicious! One question though… do the tots come out crispy or mushy? I think it would be yummy either way, but my boyfriend is a connoisseur of tots and he only likes them crispy! Hehe! 🙂
This looks incredible and like something that my kids would actually eat!
Hi Brandie. Just thought you might like to know this can also be made in a dutch oven when you're camping. Just Google the guide for how many coals top and bottom to bring the dutch oven to 350 degrees and cook it just like you would in the oven at home. Thanks for all the wonderful recipes. I just love your blog.
I made this today and it is so yummy!! I bet you could put hamburger in it also. After four hours, the chicken was very tender and the taste was so delicious. This one is a keeper