If your’e looking for a warm dish with creamy tastes, crisp bites and a lil bit of indulgence, Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole might be just it. This casserole has made its way into so many home cooks hearts and its easy to see why. It’s got tender chicken, bacon thats super crispy, and golden tater tots all over the top. Kids and adults alike cant get enough of it. Lots of people love tater tot casseroles cause theyre easy to make, taste great and work awesome for quick dinners or potlucks.
One cool thing about this dish is how you can change it up to match what you like or need. Meat lovers can load it up, but you could also add veggies if you want more greens. You eat it right out of the oven, or you can heat up leftovers later and it’s still good. Down below we’ll see why Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is so loved, list the stuff youll need, and show you step by step how to make it yourself.
What is Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole?
Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a tasty, filling meal that mixes soft chicken, crunchy bacon and tater tots all smothered in a cheesy creamy sauce. The best part is how warm and satisfying it is making it awesome for family dinners or chilly nights. The name “Cracked Out” comes from adding stuff like bacon bits, ranch seasoning, and melted cheese to the usual tater tot casserole to make it extra yummy.
To see why people love it lets look back. Tater tot casseroles were a big deal in American kitchens way back in the 1950s and 60s. They was liked cause they were simple and fed a lot of people without much fuss. Over time folks have tried lots of versions but at heart its still comfort food thats simple to put together and fun to eat.
So what does “Cracked Out” mean? It means you put ranch mix, cheese and bacon together so you get a bunch of flavors in every bite. Those three things together bring out a taste thats hard to resist and makes everyone want more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless breasts or thighs. Cook it however you like—boil, bake or fry—then shred or cube it. You can even use a rotisserie chicken if you want.
- Tater Tots: Frozen ones are easiest but you could also make them from scratch if youre up for it.
- Cheese: A mix works best. Cheddar for the sharp taste, cream cheese for creaminess, maybe some mozzarella for that stretchy cheese pull.
- Seasonings: Ranch seasoning mix gives you the “Cracked Out” flavor. You could use another seasoning if you dont have ranch though.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon pieces add crunch. You can fry your own or buy the pre-cooked kind.
Picking good chicken and fresh cheese makes it taste so much better. Fresh bacon is the crunchiest compared to frozen bits.
Directions: How to Make Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Making this casserole is pretty easy just follow these steps.
1. Preheat the Oven
Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This way it cooks through and gets brown on top.
2. Prepare Ingredients
Cook your chicken first—boil, bake whatever you want—until it's done. Shred or cube it when its cool enough. Then cook bacon till it's crispy and chop it up. In a bowl stir together your cheeses and ranch seasoning to make the creamy sauce.
3. Layering the Casserole
Grease a 9x13 dish. Put the chicken in first then sprinkle on the bacon. Next spread half your tater tots over that. Pour the cheesy ranch mix so it covers everything. Then top with the rest of the tater tots. If you want extra cheese, sprinkle some on after.
4. Baking Instructions
Put it in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes. You'll know it's done when the tots are gold and cheese is bubbly. If the top browns too fast you can cover it with foil for the first part then pull the foil off at the end.
5. Resting and Serving
Let it sit about 5–10 minutes after you take it out so the cheese firms up a bit. Then scoop and serve. If you want, put some green onions or parsley on top for color.
Tips for a Perfect Casserole
- Get the Right Texture: Too much cheese will make it soggy. Not enough makes it dry. Find a good balance.
- Mix It Up: Add veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms or frozen mixed veggies to make it more colorful and healthy.
- Substitutions: For gluten-free, grab gf ranch and gf tater tots. Low-carb? Try cauliflower tots. Vegetarian? Use beans or lentils instead of chicken.
- What to Serve It With: A salad or steamed broccoli is great. Garlic bread is also a tasty side.
Cracked Out Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 baking dish (9x13 inches)
- 1 cooking spray or olive oil
- 1 spoon or spatula
- 1 oven mitts
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 16 oz frozen tater tots
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup sliced green onions optional
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Fold in the cooked bacon and half of the cheddar cheese, mixing everything together evenly.
- Grease the baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil. Spread the mixture evenly in the bottom of the dish.
- Layer the frozen tater tots evenly over the chicken mixture, making sure to cover it completely.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top of the tater tots.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is bubbly.
- If desired, garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
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