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Cozy, cheesy, and utterly hands-off, this Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a weeknight hero—loaded with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and golden tater tots that crisp right in your slow cooker. You’ll wonder how dinner ever went so smoothly before!
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
– Truly set-and-forget comfort—no oven time needed
– Ultra-creamy Cheesy Chicken filling your whole family adores
– Crispy Tater Tot topping with zero extra pans to scrub
– Feeds a crowd or yields tasty leftovers for lunch
– Budget-friendly pantry staples keep grocery bills in check
– Easily swaps in extra veggies or a spicy twist
– Perfect for potlucks, busy weeknights, or Sunday dinner
Ingredients for the Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
– 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for richer flavor)
– 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (Campbell’s works great)
– 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of celery)
– 1 cup sour cream (full-fat or Greek yogurt for tang)
– 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
– 1 bag (32 oz) frozen Tater Tots (Ore-Ida or store brand)
– 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for warmth)
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional garnish)
Directions
1. Prep the crockpot. Lightly coat the insert with nonstick spray or a thin swipe of butter—this makes cleanup a breeze.
2. Combine the filling. In the slow cooker, nestle in the chicken breasts. Pour over both cans of soup, then dollop sour cream around the edges. Toss in diced onion, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything’s evenly coated—your Cheesy Chicken base is born!
3. Let it cook. Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 hours (or HIGH for 2½ hours), until the chicken is fall-apart tender. Tip: if you’re short on time, HIGH works fine—just keep an eye on moisture.
4. Shred and cheese. Using two forks, shred the chicken right in the cooker. Then stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar until it’s melted and dreamy—mouthwatering, isn’t it?
5. Layer the tots. Neatly arrange frozen Tater Tots in a single layer atop the cheesy chicken mix—no scooping needed. You’re building that coveted, golden crunch right in your crockpot!
6. Crisp the topping. Cook uncovered on HIGH for another 1 hour, or until the tots are nicely browned at the edges. If you crave extra crisp, slip the insert under your oven broiler for 2–3 minutes—just keep a close eye.
7. Garnish and serve. Scatter chopped parsley or chives over the top, season to taste, and scoop into bowls. This cheesy, crunchy casserole is best enjoyed hot and fresh—dig in!
Servings & Timing
Makes 6–8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes (hands-on)
Cook Time: 4 hours on LOW (or 2½ hours on HIGH) + 1 hour crisping
Rest Time: 5 minutes (let it settle before serving)
Total Time: Approximately 5 hours 20 minutes on LOW (or 3 hours 55 minutes on HIGH)
Variations
– Swap in ground turkey or beef for a different protein vibe.
– Stir a diced jalapeño or a splash of hot sauce into the filling for heat.
– Use sweet potato tots to up the vitamin A and add sweetness.
– Fold in a cup of steamed broccoli or peas for extra green goodness.
– Swap Greek yogurt for sour cream and reduced-fat cheese for a lighter dish.
– Choose gluten-free soups and tots to suit special diets.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze portions in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight (if frozen), then warm in a microwave-safe dish or return to the crockpot on WARM until heated through—top hats may lack crisp, so pop under the broiler for a minute if needed.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken straight from the freezer?
A: Absolutely—just add another 30–60 minutes of cook time on LOW (or 20–30 minutes on HIGH) to ensure it reaches 165°F.
Q: My Tater Tots aren’t getting crispy—help!
A: Try removing the lid for the last 20 minutes, or transfer the whole insert under the broiler for a quick crisp finish.
Q: Is it okay to assemble ahead of time?
A: Definitely. Layer everything in the crockpot insert, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours; then cook as directed.
Q: What if my sauce seems too thick or thin?
A: If it’s too thick, stir in a splash of chicken broth or milk; if too thin, lift the lid slightly in the last hour to let steam escape.
Q: Can I cook this in an Instant Pot?
A: Yes—use sauté for the onion, then pressure cook on HIGH for 12 minutes, quick-release, stir in cheese, top with tots, and air-crisp at 400°F for 10 minutes.
Q: What cheese melts best in this recipe?
A: Sharp cheddar gives a bold kick, but Colby-Jack or Monterrey Jack work beautifully for extra creaminess.
Conclusion
This Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is pure comfort in a bowl—creamy Cheesy Chicken meets crunchy Tater Tot goodness without the fuss. Give this slow-cooker superstar a whirl tonight, then come back and share your spin on the recipe in the comments or tag your photos on Instagram. Happy cooking!
Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 32 oz frozen Tater Tots
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika optional
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley or chives optional garnish
Instructions
- Lightly coat the slow cooker insert with nonstick spray or butter for easy cleanup.
- Place chicken breasts in the cooker, add soups, sour cream, diced onion, and seasonings; stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2½ hours, until chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Shred the chicken with forks, then stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Arrange frozen Tater Tots in a single layer over the cheesy chicken mixture.
- Cook uncovered on HIGH for 1 hour, until Tater Tots are golden and crispy; broil briefly if desired.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives over the top, season to taste, and serve hot.
