Chicken breasts are combined with tater tots, cheese, and bacon in this easy Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Bacon Tater Tot Casserole.
This has been one of those weeks where I’ve been run down, tired and overworked. You know the feeling. I could tell my body was also trying to fight off whatever bug is going around giving everyone a cold. I needed some easy comfort food. We also had some nice October weather right in the middle of August, so I knew it was a good time to try a recipe I found on Pinterest: Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole (Slow Cooker) from The Country Cook. You can also find it on Food.com.
Tater Tots are Pretty Tasty in Casseroles
I have a weird relationship with tater tots. I remember we were served them quite frequently as part of our hot lunches in school. All of my classmates loved them, especially dipped in ketchup. Me, I’d rather have fries. I never cared for tater tots until I met my husband and his mom introduced me to Tater Tot Hot Dish (a recipe similar to this one). This was tater tots in a completely different format and I loved them that way! So creamy and comforting. Still…..As much as I love tater tot casseroles and such, I would rather have fries with my ketchup.
Back to this recipe. I had to put my own somewhat healthier spin on this comforting dish. First of all, I cut the tater tots in half. This made the dish appropriate for four servings. I also used organic tater tots (Cascadian Farms Spud Puppies)* and uncured, no-added-nitrate bacon (Applegate Farms). I cooked the bacon until crisp and drained the grease. This Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Bacon Tater Tot Casserole recipe agrees with my digestive system, so I figured I would share it. Meat, potatoes, cheese….nothing there that doesn’t work for me! I can tell you I will be making this recipe in the autumn and winter months to come.
* Quick Note about the Cascadian Farms Spud Puppies: They have not been tested for FODMAPs, so I can’t say that this is a low-FODMAP recipe, nor is it appropriate for the elimination phase of the diet. The ingredients lists apple juice as an ingredient used to promote browning. I was concerned about this due to my IBS, but I figure it is the second to last ingredient on the list, so the amount is very minute. I do not have issues with them.
Follow these Simple, Easy Steps
Time needed: 4 hours and 20 minutes
How to make Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Bacon Tater Tot Casserole
- First layer of tater tots, cheese, bacon, and chicken
Layer half of the frozen tater tots on the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle with a third of the bacon crumbles and a third of the cheese. Add diced chicken on top and season with salt and pepper.
- Layer more cheese, bacon, and tater tots
Sprinkle with a third of the bacon crumbles and a third of the cheese. Add the remainder of the tater tots and sprinkle the remaining third bacon and cheese.
- Pour milk over top
- Cook on low for 4 hours
My slow cooker is an older model of this one from Hamilton Beach and it has served me well for many years now. (Affiliate link: as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
- Serve
You may enjoy this similar recipe from my collection:
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Bacon Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 – 16 oz. bag frozen tater tots (I use Cascadian Farms Spud Puppies)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked crisp, drained, and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded Colby-Jack cheese
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed (uncooked)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup milk (lactose-free if needed)
Instructions
- Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Layer half of the frozen tater tots on the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle with a third of the bacon crumbles and a third of the cheese.
- Add diced chicken on top and season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle with a third of the bacon crumbles and a third of the cheese.
- Add the remainder of the tater tots and sprinkle the remaining third bacon and cheese. Pour the 3/4 cup milk all over top
- Cook on low for four hours. Serve.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my Affiliate Disclosure page for more information.
I'm assuming the diced chicken is uncooked?
Hi Catherine! Yes, the chicken is uncooked. I will update the recipe. Thanks for reading!
do the tater tots get crispy or stay soft?
I don't think they get too very crispy, but they aren't soggy!
Is this gluten free?
Yes, this is gluten-free. Just make sure your ingredients are gluten-free, especially the tater tots. I believe Ore-Ida are gluten-free, as well as Cascadian Farms.
Wow- I think I'm going to try this one tonight. looks so delicious.
Marlene
Reverse Mortgages Bellevue
Hope you liked it!
Could almond milk be substituted for the lactose free milk?
Yes
Anyway to bake this?