Description
Sizzling BBQ chicken tater tot casserole brings comfort food to new heights with its irresistible layers of savory goodness. Crispy tots, tender chicken, and smoky barbecue sauce create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 4 slices bacon
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Other Ingredients:
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 bag (28 ounces / 794 grams) frozen tater tots
- ¼ cup green onions
- Extra BBQ sauce (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature, preparing it for a hearty casserole creation.
- Select a rectangular baking vessel and coat its interior with a light layer of non-stick culinary spray.
- Distribute the tater tots across the bottom of the dish, creating an even golden foundation for the meal.
- Layer shredded chicken over the potato base, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Drizzle barbecue sauce generously across the chicken, allowing the tangy sauce to seep between the layers.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the sauced chicken, creating a melty, golden blanket.
- Scatter crisp bacon pieces across the cheese layer for added texture and smoky flavor.
- Slice green onions and delicately spread them over the top, adding a fresh, zesty accent.
- Place the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and transform.
- Bake until the cheese melts completely and the edges turn a tempting golden brown, typically around 25-30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes, allowing the layers to settle and flavors to intensify.
- Serve warm, revealing the bubbling, fragrant layers of this comforting dish.
Notes
- Choose high-quality BBQ sauce for rich, authentic flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Drain excess liquid from chicken to prevent a soggy casserole base and maintain crispy tot texture.
- For a lighter version, swap regular tater tots with cauliflower tots and use lean chicken breast to reduce calories.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or smoked gouda to add unexpected depth and complexity to the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg