Description
BBQ Chicken Tater Tot Casserole brings comfort food to new heights with its hearty layers of shredded chicken, crispy potatoes, and tangy sauce. Cheese and bacon add irresistible flavor that will make this dish a family favorite for casual dinners and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 bag (28 oz / 794 g) frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 4 slices bacon
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup cream cheese
- ¼ cup green onions
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Extra BBQ sauce (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F, creating an ideal environment for a flavorful casserole fusion.
- Setup: Spray a rectangular baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, establishing a perfect cooking surface.
- Foundation Layer: Arrange tater tots as a crispy base, covering the entire bottom of the dish with a uniform potato foundation.
- Protein Placement: Spread shredded chicken evenly over the tater tots, ensuring complete coverage and creating a substantial protein layer.
- Flavor Infusion: Generously coat the chicken with barbecue sauce, allowing the tangy essence to permeate the entire dish.
- Cheese Transformation: Sprinkle shredded cheese across the sauced chicken, creating a melting protective layer that promises rich, gooey goodness.
- Texture Enhancement: Crumble bacon pieces over the cheese, introducing a smoky crunch that elevates the overall taste profile.
- Fresh Garnish: Finely chop green onions and distribute them across the top, adding a bright, crisp element to the casserole.
- Culinary Alchemy: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, watching the cheese melt and the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown.
- Serving Finale: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, letting the flavors meld and intensify before presenting this mouthwatering dish.
Notes
- Optimize Tater Tot Layer: Ensure tots are evenly spread and slightly thawed for consistent golden crispiness, preventing soggy or uneven bottom textures.
- Chicken Preparation Tip: Use pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor and time-saving convenience, reducing overall cooking complexity.
- Sauce Distribution Strategy: Drizzle barbecue sauce in a zigzag pattern to guarantee balanced flavor across every bite, preventing concentrated sauce pockets.
- Dietary Adaptation Hack: Substitute regular bacon with turkey bacon for lower-fat version, and use gluten-free barbecue sauce to make the casserole celiac-friendly and healthier.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg