Zesty Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe for Cozy Nights
Comfort food meets spicy delight in this mouthwatering buffalo chicken tater tot casserole that promises to rock your dinner table.
Crispy golden tots nestle between layers of shredded chicken and zesty buffalo sauce.
Creamy cheese melts into every delectable bite, creating a symphony of flavors.
Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing dish.
Packed with protein and topped with a crunchy potato crown, you won’t be able to resist seconds.
Easy to assemble and even easier to devour, this casserole brings game-day excitement straight to your kitchen.
Prepare to become the ultimate dinner hero with one simple recipe.
Casserole That Combines Tater Tots and Buffalo Chicken Heat
Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Ingredient List
Protein Base:Dairy Components:Potato Layer:Additional Components:Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Comfort Recipe
Step 1: Warm Up the Oven
Fire up your oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C) so it’s ready and waiting for our delicious casserole.
Step 2: Spice the Chicken
Grab your shredded chicken and dive it into buffalo sauce, mixing until every single piece is coated with spicy, tangy goodness.
Step 3: Create the Base Layer
Grab a 9×13 baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking oil. Spread out the saucy chicken across the bottom of the dish in an even, appetizing layer.
Step 4: Arrange the Crispy Tots
Take your frozen tater tots and create a beautiful blanket over the chicken, making sure every inch of the chicken is covered with these golden potato nuggets.
Step 5: Add Cheesy Goodness
Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese over the tater tots, creating a melty, gooey topping that will make everyone’s mouth water.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide the dish into the preheated oven and let it bake for 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for golden-brown tater tots and cheese that’s bubbling with deliciousness.
Step 7: Final Drizzle
For an extra flavor punch, drizzle some cool ranch dressing over the top of your casserole just before serving.
Tater Tot Casserole Tips with Buffalo Chicken Flavor
Storing Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Buffalo Tater Tot Casserole Matches
Buffalo Tater Casserole Serving Options
FAQs
Buffalo sauce ranges from mild to hot. Choose a sauce brand or heat level that matches your spice tolerance. You can always adjust the amount of sauce to control the heat.
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works great and saves time. Just shred the meat and mix it with buffalo sauce as the recipe suggests.
You can make a quick buffalo sauce by mixing hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot) with melted butter. The typical ratio is 2 parts hot sauce to 1 part butter for a classic buffalo flavor.
Yes, you can substitute shredded turkey or even pulled pork. The recipe is flexible and will taste delicious with different protein options.
Print
Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Hearty buffalo chicken tater tot casserole delivers spicy comfort right to dinner tables, blending zesty wing flavors with crispy potato goodness. Creamy, cheesy layers promise a crowd-pleasing meal you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 bag (32 ounces / 907 grams) frozen tater tots
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) cooked, shredded chicken
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) buffalo sauce
Optional Topping:
- 0.5 cup (118 milliliters) ranch dressing
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a scorching 400°F, creating the perfect environment for a crispy, bubbling casserole.
- Thoroughly blend shredded chicken with buffalo sauce, ensuring each morsel is generously coated with spicy, tangy goodness.
- Prepare a 9×13 baking dish by lightly greasing the surface, then distribute the saucy chicken evenly across the bottom, creating a uniform layer.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a tight, overlapping pattern to completely blanket the chicken mixture, promising maximum crispiness.
- Generously shower the surface with a lavish layer of shredded cheese, promising a melty, gooey finish.
- Transfer the assembled casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 25-30 minutes until the tots turn a gorgeous golden brown and the cheese melts into a luxurious blanket.
- Once removed from the oven, enhance the dish’s decadence by drizzling a cooling ranch dressing over the top, balancing the buffalo’s fiery kick with creamy sophistication.
Notes
- Swap traditional buffalo sauce for a milder version if you prefer less heat, ensuring everyone can enjoy this crowd-pleasing dish.
- Prep chicken in advance by using rotisserie or slow-cooker methods to save time and simplify the cooking process.
- Create a gluten-free version by using certified gluten-free tater tots and checking buffalo sauce ingredients for potential wheat-based additives.
- Add extra crunch by sprinkling crushed tortilla chips or panko breadcrumbs on top before baking for a delightful textural contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Marcus Hale
Founder & Recipe Storyteller
Expertise
Education
Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Marcus grew up surrounded by maple trees, farm stands, and the smell of Sunday stew simmering on the stove. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from the HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he knew he didn’t want to work in fancy kitchens, he wanted to cook for real people.
At Whip Up Cook Up, Marcus is the guy turning memories into meals. His recipes are fast, full of flavor, and built for home cooks who want big taste without the drama.