Bacon & Cheese Loaded Chicken Tater Tot Bake
Indulge in a comforting and flavorful meal with this Bacon & Cheese Loaded Chicken Tater Tot Bake, perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners. This dish combines succulent chicken breasts, crispy tater tots, and a medley of two delicious cheeses, all topped with savory bacon bits for an irresistible flavor. The slow-cooked layers blend together, creating a creamy, cheesy goodness that pairs beautifully with the crunchy texture of tater tots. Easy to prepare in a crock pot, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that's sure to delight everyone at your table. Enjoy the convenience of a one-dish meal that requires minimal effort—just layer the ingredients, set your crock pot, and let the magic happen!
N/A
Servings
467
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
tater tots
32 ounces (frozen)
bacon bits
3 ounces (jarred (Hormel brand recommended))
boneless skinless chicken breasts
5 (uncooked)
colby cheese
1.5 cups (grated)
Monterey Jack pepper cheese
1.5 cups (grated)
milk
3/4 cup (liquid)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Grease the bottom of the crock pot to ensure easy removal of the dish once it's cooked.
2
Layer half of the tater tots evenly across the bottom of the pot to create a crispy base.
3
Sprinkle one-fourth of the bacon bits over the tater tots to add a smoky, savory flavor.
4
In a bowl, combine the grated colby cheese and the grated Monterey Jack pepper cheese, then sprinkle one-third of the cheese mixture over the bacon and tater tots for a cheesy layer.
5
Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top of the cheese, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
6
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to your liking for enhanced flavor.
7
Add another one-third of the cheese mixture over the seasoned chicken for extra cheesiness.
8
Sprinkle another one-fourth of the bacon bits on top of the cheese to intensify the bacon flavor.
9
Layer the remaining tater tots on top of everything, creating a final crispy layer.
10
Finish with the last one-third of the cheese mixture to ensure a cheesy topping.
11
Pour the milk evenly over the entire dish to keep everything moist and delicious during cooking.
12
Cover the crock pot with its lid, set it to high, and let it cook for 3-4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the ingredients to cook through.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
37g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bacon & Cheese Loaded Chicken Tater Tot Bake?
It is a comforting one-dish crock pot meal featuring succulent chicken breasts, frozen tater tots, savory bacon bits, and a blend of Colby and Monterey Jack pepper cheeses.
How many chicken breasts do I need for this recipe?
The recipe requires 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
What is the recommended cooking time in a crock pot?
Cook the dish on the high setting for 3 to 4 hours.
What kind of cheese is used in this bake?
This recipe uses a combination of 1.5 cups of grated Colby cheese and 1.5 cups of grated Monterey Jack pepper cheese.
Do I need to grease the crock pot?
Yes, you should grease the bottom of the crock pot to ensure easy removal of the dish once it is cooked.
How many ounces of tater tots are required?
You will need a 32-ounce bag of frozen tater tots.
Is there a specific brand of bacon bits recommended?
The recipe recommends using Hormel brand jarred bacon bits.
How much milk is added to the dish?
Pour 3/4 cup of milk evenly over the layers before cooking.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 467 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 30 grams of protein in each serving.
How much fat is in this recipe per serving?
The dish contains 25 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count for this meal?
There are 37 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Should the chicken be cooked before putting it in the crock pot?
No, the chicken breasts should be placed in the crock pot uncooked.
How do I layer the tater tots?
Layer half of the tater tots on the bottom to create a base, and the remaining half near the end of the layering process.
How do I prepare the cheese mixture?
Combine the grated Colby and Monterey Jack pepper cheese in a bowl, then divide the mixture into thirds for layering.
When do I season the chicken?
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper after placing them on top of the first layers of cheese, bacon, and tots.
How are the bacon bits distributed?
The bacon bits are divided into fourths and sprinkled across different layers of the dish.
Is this a good recipe for busy weeknights?
Yes, it is an easy recipe that requires minimal effort as you simply layer ingredients and let the crock pot do the work.
What texture can I expect from the tater tots?
The recipe creates a mix of textures with crispy tater tot layers on the top and bottom.
Can I use different types of cheese?
While the recipe specifies Colby and Monterey Jack pepper cheese for a specific flavor profile, you could substitute with other melting cheeses if preferred.
Is there any fiber in this dish?
The nutritional information provided does not list a fiber count.
What role does the milk play in the recipe?
The milk helps keep the chicken and other ingredients moist and creates a creamy texture during the slow cooking process.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 8 ingredients: tater tots, bacon bits, chicken breasts, Colby cheese, Monterey Jack pepper cheese, milk, salt, and pepper.
Does this recipe contain sugar?
The provided data does not list any sugar content for this recipe.
Is the Monterey Jack pepper cheese spicy?
Monterey Jack pepper cheese typically contains bits of peppers which adds a mild spice or 'kick' to the dish.
What is the final layer added to the crock pot?
The final layer is the last one-third of the cheese mixture topped with milk.
Can I use freshly cooked bacon instead of jarred bits?
Yes, you can substitute the 3 ounces of jarred bacon bits with an equivalent amount of freshly cooked and crumbled bacon.
Why is this considered comfort food?
It is considered comfort food because of its warm, cheesy, and hearty nature, combining potatoes, chicken, and bacon.
What category of meal does this fall into?
It is categorized as a one-dish crock pot meal and a casserole-style bake.
How do I ensure the chicken is seasoned well?
You should apply salt and pepper directly to the raw chicken breasts once they are layered in the pot to your personal taste.