Description
Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole that brings zesty spice and cheesy goodness to your dinner table. Crispy tots, tender chicken, and bold buffalo flavors create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or cooked chicken breast)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 package (8 ounces/226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
Sauces and Toppings:
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (such as Franks RedHot)
- 1 bag (32 ounces/907 grams) frozen tater tots
Optional Toppings:
- Extra buffalo sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Chopped green onions
- Blue cheese crumbles
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F (190°C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light layer of grease to prevent sticking.
- Create a flavorful buffalo chicken base by thoroughly blending shredded chicken with cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and a portion of cheddar cheese until the mixture reaches a uniform consistency.
- Transfer the buffalo chicken blend into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution across the entire surface.
- Enhance the initial layer by sprinkling mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken mixture.
- Systematically arrange frozen tater tots in a precise single layer, covering the entire chicken and cheese surface.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the tater tots transform into a crispy, golden-brown landscape.
- Once initial baking completes, carefully remove the dish and generously disperse additional cheddar cheese across the top.
- Return the casserole to the oven for a final 5-minute melting session, allowing the cheese to become perfectly smooth and bubbly.
- After removing from the oven, allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the ingredients to settle and flavors to meld.
- Complete the dish by drizzling extra buffalo sauce and ranch dressing over the top, and optionally garnish with chopped green onions or crumbled blue cheese for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a leaner protein option that absorbs buffalo sauce perfectly.
- Opt for low-fat cream cheese and reduced-sodium buffalo sauce to create a healthier version without sacrificing flavor.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting buffalo sauce quantity, using mild for kids or extra-hot for spice lovers.
- Prepare casserole ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 526
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1290 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg