Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Name: Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 Rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded. Meat shredded or chopped into bite-size pieces. (See note below.); 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature (I use Philadelphia brand because of its extra creamy texture); 1/2 cup ranch salad dressing; 1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp black pepper; 16 oz frozen tater tots (Use approximately half a 32-oz bag); 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese (not pre-shredded) (Shred your own for best flavor and texture); 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles; 6 sliced green onions (Slice into small rounds with a pair of scissors.); carrot sticks and celery sticks (optional) (Cool and crispy veggies compliment the hot and spicy)

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Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is not only incredibly easy to make but also irresistibly delicious. With its perfect blend of spicy buffalo sauce, Ranch dressing, melty cheese, and crispy tater tots, it's a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds.

And what makes it extra special is it's perfect for busy families because it only takes about 15 minutes prep time - just mix everything together, pour it into a casserole dish, and bake it. The entire process takes under an hour! Make-ahead friendly, too! Have I convinced you yet to make this casserole 🙂

Baked casserole in a cast iron skillet topped with blue cheese and sliced green onion. Carrot sticks and celery sticks in the background.

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What Does it Taste Like
Ingredients You'll Need
Substitutions and Additions
Ingredient Swaps That Won't Work
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Topping and Garnishes
What to Serve With It
Storage and Reheating
Recipe Tips for Success
How Much Does it Cost to Make It
Frequently Asked Questions
More Casseroles to Try
Recipe
Comments

What Does it Taste Like

Imagine the tangy heat of buffalo sauce mingling with tender rotisserie chicken, melty creamy cheese, all topped with crispy tater tots and a sprinkle of blue cheese. This casserole has it all! A perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and crispy crunch for a delicious meal. Tastes similar to this Buffalo Chicken Dip which makes an excellent appetizer!

Ingredients You'll Need

Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole has easy ingredients - nothing you have to pre-cook! With just a little prep time, you'll have this casserole in the oven in no time!

Ingredients measured out in individual containers.

Rotisserie chicken is savory and tender. It's super convenient, too saving you time in the kitchen!
Cream cheese provides richness and creaminess.
Frank's buffalo hot wing sauce delivers the signature buffalo flavor and heat. Use the leftover wing sauce to make this Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese!
Ranch dressing adds tanginess and is a great flavor companion for buffalo sauce.
Frozen tater tots provide a crispy potato layer and makes this a filling meal. Use the leftover tater tots to make my Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole!
Shredded cheddar cheese melty cheese makes everything better. For the best flavor and texture, always shred your own cheese. Trust me!
Blue cheese crumbles offer a pungent, tangy flavor contrast. Hey, if you don't like blue cheese, simply leave it out.
Sliced green onions provides a little extra flavor and a pop of color.

Substitutions and Additions

See an ingredient you don't like or don't have on hand? No problem, here are some ingredient substitutions and additions.

Substitute shredded cooked chicken for rotisserie chicken.
Canned cooked chicken is fine. Use two to three 12 oz cans. Drain the liquid (if any) before using.
Adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of buffalo sauce.
Swap blue cheese crumbles for another cheese like mozzarella or pepper jack.
Add diced celery or carrots for extra crunch and flavor; I like to offer celery sticks and sliced carrots on the side.

Ingredient Swaps That Won't Work

I don't recommend hash browns or potato wedges as a tater tot substitute because they may not crisp up or hold their shape as well as tater tots during baking.
I don't recommend substituting cheddar with a cheese that doesn't melt well, such as feta or Parmesan.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

As my husband would say, "I can sum it up in three words" - prep, mix, bake!

Shredded chicken layer in cast iron skillet. — **Step 1** - Add a layer of shredded chicken to your skillet.

Cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing mixture in a bowl. — **Step 2** - Mix together the cream cheese, ranch dressing, buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Cream cheese mixture spread on top of the chicken in the skillet. — **Step 3** - Add the creamy chicken mixture on top of the chicken.

Frozen tater tots on top of the chicken mixture in a skillet. — **Step 4** - Add the frozen tater tots!

Shredded cheese on top of the frozen tater tots in the skillet. — **Step 5** - Add a layer of shredded cheese!

Baked casserole in a cast iron skillet. — **Step 6** - Bake until hot and crispy. Garnish with blue cheese crumbles and green onion!

Topping and Garnishes

There are a ton of toppings and garnishes that go well with Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. It's really just a matter of personal preference. Here are top 10 suggestions that work great!

Crispy Bacon Bits: Cook some bacon until crispy, crumble it, and sprinkle it over the top of the casserole for added flavor and crunch.
Sour Cream: Serve with a dollop of sour cream on top of each portion to add creaminess and coolness to balance the heat.
Sliced Jalapeños: For extra heat and a pop of color, add thinly sliced jalapeños either before baking or as a garnish after baking.
Avocado Slices: Fresh avocado slices can provide a creamy contrast to the spicy buffalo chicken, adding a touch of freshness to each bite.
Chopped Cilantro or Parsley: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or parsley over the top before serving to add a burst of freshness and color.
Crushed Tortilla Chips: Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips over the casserole for added texture and a hint of corn flavor.
Sliced Black Olives: Add sliced black olives for a savory, briny flavor that complements the buffalo chicken and cheese.
Diced Tomatoes: Top the casserole with diced tomatoes for a juicy, fresh element that adds brightness to each bite.
Salsa: Serve with a side of salsa for dipping or drizzle salsa over individual portions for an extra burst of flavor.
Chopped Green Chilies: Add chopped green chilies for a mild heat and a Southwestern twist to the casserole.

What to Serve With It

Serve Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole with extra buffalo sauce and ranch dressing on the side. Carrot sticks and celery sticks offer a cool contrast to the bold flavor of the buffalo chicken. Here are a few more suggestions:

Side Dish - Crispy crunchy Broccoli Bacon Salad is a great side dish. With a hint of saltiness from the bacon and a touch of sweetness from the honey, it's a great side kick!

Side Dish - During grilling season, pair this casserole with Grilled Corn on the Cob and dive into its sweet and juicy flavor.

Dessert - Don't forget to save room for an after dinner treat! These one-pan Blondie Brownies are a snap to put together and the perfect ending to the perfect meal!

Storage and Reheating

To store leftovers, cover the casserole dish tightly with foil or transfer individual portions to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the desired portion in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Recipe Tips for Success

Ensure the cream cheese is softened before mixing to achieve a smooth consistency. Layer the ingredients evenly for consistent flavor throughout the casserole.

Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let the flavors meld.

How Much Does it Cost to Make It

Assuming you have to buy every single ingredient, you may expect to spend about $27.87 to make this recipe. This recipe makes 6 servings so that tallies to $4.65 per serving. This price is based on shopping at Walmart in 2024. Prices will vary per store, brand, and time of year; this price does not include the optional garnishes and tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make this in a slow cooker?

To make this casserole in a slow cooker, layer the ingredients as instructed in the recipe in the slow cooker instead of a casserole dish. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until heated through and bubbly.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time and bake it later?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. This is a great option for busy weeknights or when hosting guests. Just be sure to cover the casserole tightly with foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out in the refrigerator.

Do I need to thaw the tater tots before using them?

No, not at all. Use them frozen! They'll crisp up nicely.

More Casseroles to Try

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Recipe

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.