Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
This Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a deliciously spicy and comforting dish that combines shredded chicken with creamy buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, and a cheesy cauliflower base, all topped with crispy baked tater tots and melty Mexican blend cheese. Perfect for a crowd or family dinner, this casserole offers a warm, cheesy, and mildly spicy meal that’s quick and easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 3 cups shredded chicken (~1.5 lbs)
- 2 cups frozen cauliflower florets (chopped and cooked)
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 tbsp ranch seasoning powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Topping
- 20 oz frozen tater tots
- 1/2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Green onions, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven temperature to 450°F (232°C) and allow it to preheat fully while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Mix cream cheese base: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, plain Greek yogurt, buffalo wing sauce, and ranch seasoning powder until smooth and well combined to create a spicy, tangy sauce.
- Combine chicken and cheese mixture: Add the cooked cauliflower, shredded chicken, and shredded cheddar cheese into the cream cheese mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly so that the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated.
- Assemble casserole: Spread the chicken and cheese mixture evenly in a large 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking dish, making sure the mixture is level. Then, cover the top completely with frozen tater tots, ensuring no filling is exposed.
- Bake the casserole: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on top.
- Add Mexican blend cheese: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the tater tots. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely.
- Garnish and serve: Take the casserole out of the oven and optionally top with sliced green onions. Serve hot with a drizzle of ranch dressing, or a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream for added creaminess and balance to the spice.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken to save time.
- For extra heat, add more buffalo wing sauce or sprinkle some red pepper flakes.
- Cauliflower florets should be cooked and well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
- Cover the casserole loosely with foil if the tater tots brown too quickly before the filling is heated through.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
