- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience. Store-bought rotisserie chicken saves time and adds extra flavor to this buffalo chicken tater tot casserole.
- Adjust the spice level easily. If you prefer a milder casserole, reduce the buffalo sauce slightly and increase the ranch dressing. For extra heat, add additional buffalo sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Pre-bake the tater tots for extra crispiness. For ultra crispy tater tots, bake them on a sheet pan for about 10 minutes before adding them to the casserole.
- Add classic buffalo flavor extras. Diced celery, blue cheese crumbles, or sliced green onions add a traditional buffalo chicken flavor and a bit of texture.
- Make it extra cheesy. Sprinkle an additional ½ cup of shredded cheddar or mozzarella over the casserole during the last 5 minutes of baking for a gooey cheesy topping.
- Perfect for meal prep. This buffalo chicken casserole reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for 3–4 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer-friendly dinner. Assemble the casserole (without baking) and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to cook, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
- Great for game day or potlucks. This cheesy buffalo chicken tater tot casserole is a hearty crowd-pleasing dish perfect for parties, game nights, or easy weeknight dinners.
Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole (Easy Spicy Cheesy Comfort Dinner)
This Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food dinner made with tender shredded chicken, creamy ranch, spicy buffalo sauce, melty cheese, and crispy golden tater tots baked to perfection. It’s an easy family-friendly casserole that comes together quickly using simple ingredients and delivers bold buffalo flavor in every bite. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or game day meals, this cheesy buffalo chicken casserole is hearty, satisfying, and guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.
Servings 6 servings
Calories 520kcal
Cost $12 for entire recipe
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Cutting board
- knife
- Oven
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken rotisserie works great
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- ½ cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup diced celery optional but classic with buffalo flavor
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 bag 32 oz frozen tater tots
Optional toppings:
- green onions
- ranch drizzle
- blue cheese crumbles
Instructions
Preheat
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
Make the Buffalo Chicken Filling
- In a large bowl mix: shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Stir until creamy and evenly coated.
Add Cheese & Celery
- Mix in: cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and diced celery (optional).
- Spread the mixture evenly in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
Add the Tater Tot Layer
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer across the top.
Bake
- Bake 30–35 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy.
Finish
- Top with optional toppings like: green onions, ranch drizzle, or blue cheese crumbles.
- Serve hot.