This Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole layers tender chicken in a creamy, cheesy sauce and blankets it all with golden tater tots—an irresistible, hands-off comfort dinner perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- No oven needed—set your slow cooker and relax.
- Hands-off cooking frees up your afternoon for chores or me-time.
- Creamy, cheesy chicken melds perfectly with crispy tater tots.
- Feeds a hungry crowd—great for family dinners or potlucks.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for next-day lunches.
- Budget-friendly pantry staples keep costs low.
- Customizable with spices, veggies, or heat for every taste.
Ingredients for Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 3 large breasts)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
- ½ cup sour cream (Greek yogurt works too)
- ½ cup milk or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for a hint of warmth)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 32 oz frozen tater tots (1 standard bag)
- ¼ cup chopped green onions or chives (optional garnish)
Directions for Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Prep the Crockpot. Lightly spray the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or brush with a little melted butter for easy release.
- Layer the chicken. Place chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom—this helps achieve even cooking and tender, juicy meat.
- Whisk the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Combine in the cooker. Pour the creamy mixture over the chicken, tilting the slow cooker to coat each piece. Tip: Stir gently to submerge any exposed chicken.
- Add the cheese. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the saucy chicken layer—this gives an extra hit of gooey goodness.
- Top with tater tots. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top (they’ll steam and crisp slightly as they bake). No thawing required.
- Cook low and slow. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2½ hours or LOW for 4 hours, until chicken registers 165 °F and your house smells like cheesy comfort.
- Finish with cheese. In the last 15 minutes, uncover and sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese over tater tots. Let it melt into bubbly perfection.
- Garnish & serve. Turn off the Crockpot, let the casserole rest 5 minutes, then top with chopped green onions. Scoop out generous helpings and enjoy!
Servings & Timing
Makes 6 hearty servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes (easy whisk-and-layer method)
Cook Time: 2 ½ hours on HIGH or 4 hours on LOW
Total Time: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes (including resting time)
Variations
- Veggie boost: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas or mixed veggies before topping with tots.
- Cream of mushroom swap: Use cream of mushroom soup for earthier flavor.
- Turkey twist: Substitute ground turkey (browned) for chicken.
- Spicy kick: Add ½ cup chopped green chiles or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
- Dairy-free: Swap sour cream for coconut yogurt and use dairy-free cheese.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: Microwave individual portions for 2 minutes, or bake at 350 °F for 15 minutes until hot and bubbly.
FAQs
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Absolutely—boneless skinless thighs stay extra juicy and cook in the same timeframe.
Q: How do I get the tater tots crispy?
A: For extra crunch, transfer the cooked casserole to a baking dish and broil for 3–5 minutes, watching closely.
Q: Can I assemble this ahead of time?
A: Yes, layer everything (except cheese and tots) the night before, refrigerate, then add the toppings and cook the next day.
Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: It can be—just use a gluten-free cream soup and verify your cheese is GF.
Q: How can I make this lighter?
A: Swap full-fat sour cream for light or Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheese.
Q: What if I don’t have a slow cooker?
A: Bake in a 9×13″ dish at 375 °F for 30 minutes covered, then top with tots and bake 20 minutes more.
Q: Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
A: Yes—just use a larger slow cooker or two cookers side by side.
Q: Any tips for adding veggies?
A: Frozen broccoli or cauliflower florets work beautifully; just stir them into the sauce layer.
Conclusion
This Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is pure, unfussy comfort—creamy Cheesy Chicken meets crispy Tater Tot goodness in one easy slow-cooker bake. Give it a try on your next busy evening, then come back and let me know how your family enjoyed every cheesy bite! Don’t forget to explore my other Crockpot recipes for more set-it-and-forget-it dinners.
Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 3 large breasts)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom soup)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (Greek yogurt works too)
- 1/2 cup milk (or chicken broth)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 32 oz frozen tater tots (1 bag)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Lightly spray a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or brush with melted butter for easy release.
- Place chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the Crockpot for even cooking.
- In a bowl, whisk together cream soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour sauce over chicken, stir gently, then sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese on top.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the sauce—no thawing needed.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2½ hours or LOW for 4 hours, until chicken reaches 165 °F.
- Uncover, sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese over tater tots, and let melt for 15 minutes.
- Turn off the Crockpot, rest 5 minutes, then top with chopped green onions before serving.
- Scoop generous portions onto plates and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!
Notes
Nutrition
