Description
This BBQ Chicken & Bacon Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for a family dinner. It combines tender chicken, smoky bacon, creamy sauce, tangy BBQ, gooey cheddar, and crispy tater tots baked to golden perfection. Easy to prepare and crowd-pleasing, it’s a delicious way to use everyday ingredients in a satisfying casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Bacon Mixture
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 12 ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup, undiluted
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots (you may not need all of them)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set it aside.
- Cook chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Cook until the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the center, ensuring they’re fully cooked. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Mix ingredients: To the cooked chicken, add the crumbled bacon, undiluted cream of chicken soup, milk, and BBQ sauce. Stir everything to combine thoroughly.
- Assemble casserole: Spread the chicken and bacon mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the mixture. Then evenly arrange the tater tots on top; you may use the entire bag or slightly less depending on your preference.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Bake until the tater tots are cooked through and golden brown on top, and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this hearty BBQ chicken and bacon meal!
Notes
- You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade white sauce or a gluten-free alternative if desired.
- For spicier flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the chicken before cooking.
- If preferred, use reduced-fat cheese or turkey bacon to reduce fat content.
- Make sure to cook the chicken fully before baking to ensure food safety.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
