Chicken Alfredo Tater Tot Casserole

Chicken Alfredo Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mash-up, bringing together creamy Alfredo sauce, juicy shredded chicken, smoky bacon, and tender broccoli all in one dish. The filling is rich and cheesy with a blend of mozzarella and parmesan, while the tater tots on top bake up golden, crisp, and irresistible. It’s simple to put together, makes a full meal in one pan, and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser whether you’re feeding family or friends.

Love More Chicken Recipes? Try My Chicken Pumpkin Chili or this Creamy Garlic Chicken next.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy Alfredo sauce coats tender chicken and broccoli, creating a rich and comforting base. Golden tater tots baked on top add a satisfying crunch to every bite. This hearty, easy-to-make dish is perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a hungry family.

Print

Ingredient List

For the Casserole Base:

• 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (whatever’s cheapest at the store)
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped (I buy those pre-cooked bits in a bag)
• 8 oz frozen broccoli florets (store brand is fine)
• 2 jars (16 oz each) Alfredo sauce (I use Prego because it was on sale)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (the powdered kind from a can)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

For the Topping:

• 28 oz frozen tater tots (don’t cheap out on these, they’re the whole point)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (extra cheese makes everything better)

For the Garnish:

• Fresh chopped parsley (if I have it, which I usually don’t)

Why These Ingredients Work

The rotisserie chicken thing started when I was pregnant with Luke and couldn’t stand the smell of raw chicken. Now I’m just lazy about it. I pick it apart while watching Netflix and throw the bones back in the container so my husband thinks I cooked actual chicken.

Bacon makes everything better, that’s just science. The frozen broccoli was my attempt to add vegetables so I could tell myself this wasn’t completely terrible for us. My kids pick it out anyway but at least I tried, right?

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Big mixing bowl (I use the same plastic bowl I’ve had since college, it’s gross but whatever)
• 9×13 baking dish (mine has permanent stains but it still works)
• Cooking spray (or just smear some butter around with a paper towel)
• Sharp knife (if you’re actually cooking real bacon instead of buying the pre-made stuff)

How to Make Chicken Alfredo Tater Tot Casserole

Get That Oven Ready

Turn it to 400. My oven is ancient and takes forever to heat up so I start it first thing. If yours is newer and fancy it might actually work properly, lucky you.

Mix Your Base

Dump everything except tater tots and extra cheese in your bowl. I usually do this while standing at the counter eating goldfish crackers because that’s where I am in life. Mix it all up with whatever spoon you can find.

Add the Cheese

Throw in the parmesan and first cup of mozzarella. Stir it around. This is when Luke always appears asking if he can lick the spoon, which is gross but I let him anyway.

Layer It Up

Grease your pan. I just spray the heck out of it because I’m not dealing with stuck-on cheese later. Spread the chicken goop in there. Then put the tater tots on top in some kind of pattern. Mine never looks Pinterest-worthy but who cares.

First Bake

Put it in for 35 minutes. I set the timer on my phone and then immediately forget what the timer is for when it goes off. The edges should be bubbly and the tops of the tots golden-ish.

Cheese Crown

Take it out (use oven mitts, learned that the hard way) and dump the rest of the cheese on top. Back in the oven for maybe 10 more minutes. I usually just watch it through the oven door like a weirdo.

Finish and Serve

Let it sit for a few minutes while you yell at everyone to come eat. Sprinkle parsley on top if you have it and want to pretend you made an effort. Cut it into squares and watch your family actually eat vegetables without complaining.

Expert Tips

Timer confusion is real: I set timers and then panic when they go off because I can’t remember what they’re for. Write it down or put a sticky note on the oven.

Tater Tot Reality: They need to be spread out or they get soggy. I learned this when I made it for book club and Sharon made some comment about “uneven cooking.” Thanks Sharon, very helpful.

Personal Secret: Sometimes I add ranch seasoning packet to the chicken mixture. Don’t judge me, it tastes good an

Pro Tips & Cooking Hacks

Bacon shortcut: Just get the pre-cooked stuff. I used to feel bad about this but then I realized nobody cares and it saves me like 20 minutes of standing over a pan getting grease everywhere.

If you hate washing dishes: Use the same spoon for everything. I’m not making extra dishes for this mess.

Store brand alfredo is fine: Don’t waste your money on fancy sauce. It all tastes the same when it’s covered in cheese and tater tots.

Make extra: This reheats okay in the microwave for lunch the next day. Not great, but edible when you’re desperate.

Flavor Variations & Suggestions

Buffalo version: My sister puts buffalo sauce in instead of some of the alfredo. Her kids love it but mine think anything spicy is poison.

More vegetables: You could probably add corn or green beans if you want. I don’t because then I have to buy more stuff and remember to add it.

Different cheese: Use whatever cheese you have. I’ve done it with cheddar when I forgot to buy mozzarella. Still worked.

No broccoli version: Just leave it out if your kids are picky. Mine pick around it anyway so sometimes I don’t bother.

Make-Ahead Options

Sunday prep: You can put this together on Sunday and stick it in the fridge. Just bake it whenever during the week when you need dinner.

Freezer situation: I’ve frozen this before baking and it worked fine. Takes longer to cook though, like an extra 15-20 minutes.

Leftover chicken: This is actually a good way to use up leftover chicken from whatever you made earlier in the week.

Double batch: Make two and freeze one. Future you will thank past you when you’re having a terrible day and don’t want to cook.

Recipe Notes & Baker’s Tips

Pan size matters: Use a 9×13 or it’ll be too thick and won’t cook right. I learned this when I tried to use a smaller pan and the middle was still cold.

Don’t overthink it: This isn’t fancy food. It’s basically drunk food that you can serve to your family without judgment.

Timing is weird: Sometimes it takes longer, sometimes shorter. Just check it and use your brain.

Kids will complain anyway: Even if they like it, they’ll find something to complain about. That’s just how kids are.

Serving Suggestions

Side salad: I sometimes make a bagged salad to go with it so I can pretend we’re eating healthy. Usually I forget and we just eat the casserole.

Garlic bread: Those frozen garlic breadsticks from the freezer section work. Or just regular bread with butter, whatever.

Wine: I usually have a glass of wine while making this. Not a serving suggestion, just personal preference.

Paper plates: Use paper plates if you want less dishes. I’m not judging.

I hope this becomes something you actually make instead of just pinning on Pinterest and never looking at again like I do with most recipes.

How to Store Chicken Alfredo Tater Tot Casserole

Fridge: Covers it and stick it in the fridge. It’ll last maybe 3-4 days before it gets weird.

Freezer: You can freeze leftovers but the tater tots get soggy when you reheat them. Still edible though.

Reheating: Microwave works fine. Oven is better but takes forever and I’m usually too hungry to wait.

Cold leftovers: My husband eats this cold straight from the fridge like a psychopath. Different strokes I guess.

Allergy Information

Dairy everywhere: This has cheese and alfredo sauce so if you can’t do dairy, you’re probably out of luck unless they make fake versions of this stuff now.

Gluten situation: The alfredo sauce might have gluten, I don’t really know. Check the jar if you care about that.

Bacon alternatives: You could probably use turkey bacon or that fake bacon stuff if you don’t eat pork. Won’t taste as good but whatever.

Vegetarian version: Leave out the bacon and chicken, add more vegetables maybe? I don’t know, I’m not vegetarian.

Questions I Get Asked A Lot

Can I use fresh broccoli?

Sure but you’ll have to cook it first or it’ll be crunchy and weird. Frozen is easier.

What if I don’t have rotisserie chicken?

Cook some chicken I guess? Or use leftover chicken from something else. Or just make it without chicken, I don’t care.

Can I use different tater tots?

I mean, they’re all basically the same. Just don’t use the really cheap ones because they fall apart.

How do I know when it’s done?

When it’s hot and bubbly and the tots look golden. It’s not rocket science.

Can I make this healthier?

Probably not without changing everything about it. It’s comfort food, not health food.

💬 Tried this recipe? Leave a comment and rating below! Let me know if you actually made this and whether your family ate it without complaining. Also if you have any variations that worked because I’m always looking for ways to use up random stuff in my fridge.