Spicy Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Recipe

Buffalo chicken tater tot casserole brings a zesty explosion of flavor that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Comfort food enthusiasts will adore this bold and satisfying dish combining crispy potato tots with fiery chicken.

Spicy sensations dance across your palate, creating an irresistible blend of textures and temperatures.

Creamy cheese melts into savory chicken, while crunchy tots provide a delightful contrast in every single bite.

Each layer promises a mouthwatering experience that goes beyond traditional casserole expectations.

Green onions and ranch dressing add fresh, tangy notes that elevate the entire culinary creation.

What Makes Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Bold

• Spice Up Your Comfort Food: This casserole transforms ordinary tater tots into a fiery, flavor-packed dish that combines the crispy potato goodness with zesty buffalo chicken, creating a mouthwatering meal that kicks traditional comfort food up several notches.
• Totally Crowd-Pleasing Textures: The recipe delivers an incredible mix of textures – crispy golden tots, tender chicken, melted cheese, and creamy blue cheese ranch – ensuring every single bite is a delightful sensory experience that keeps people coming back for more.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Winner: With just one hour of total cooking time and simple preparation steps, this casserole becomes a stress-free meal option that doesn't compromise on taste, making it perfect for busy families or impromptu gatherings with friends.

Ingredients That Bring the Heat and Crunch

• Frozen Potato Tots: Crispy base that provides a crunchy foundation for the casserole.
• Chicken: Protein-rich main ingredient that brings hearty flavor and texture.

• Chili Powder, Cumin: Spices that add warmth and depth to the potato tots.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall flavor of chicken and dish.
• Hot Sauce: Provides signature buffalo-style heat and tanginess.
• Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp flavor and colorful garnish.
• Celery, Celery Leaves: Provides classic buffalo wing accompaniment and fresh crunch.

• Butter: Helps cook chicken and adds richness.
• Cheese: Melts to create creamy, gooey topping.
• Ranch Dressing: Creamy base for blue cheese sauce.
• Blue Cheese Crumbles: Adds tangy, pungent flavor to ranch dressing.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth to chicken mixture.

How to Make This Spicy, Cheesy Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Seasoned Potato Tots

• Chili powder
• Cumin

Spread tots on a baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes until golden and crispy.

Step 2: Cook Flavorful Chicken

• Celery
• Garlic
• Half of green onions

Continue cooking for 5 minutes until chicken is fully cooked. Stir in hot sauce and simmer for 1 minute.

Step 3: Layer and Broil Casserole

• 1/2 of cheese
• Chicken mixture
• Remaining cheese

Broil for 3 minutes until cheese melts and browns.

Step 4: Whip Up Blue Cheese Ranch

• Ranch dressing
• Blue cheese crumbles

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

• Blue Cheese Ranch
• Remaining hot sauce

• Celery leaves
• Remaining green onions

Serve hot directly from baking sheet or transfer to serving dish.

Tips for Crispier Tots and Spicier Chicken

• Adjust Heat Gradually: Start with a conservative amount of hot sauce, allowing each diner to customize their spice level for maximum enjoyment.
• Prep Dressing Ahead: Whip up the Blue Cheese Ranch dressing in advance, storing it in the refrigerator to enhance flavors and streamline cooking.
• Achieve Crispy Tots: Bake potato tots separately until golden and crunchy, ensuring they maintain their texture throughout the baking process.
• Uniform Chicken Cutting: Slice chicken pieces into consistent sizes to guarantee even cooking and perfect texture in every bite.
• Layer Strategically: Arrange ingredients from bottom to top, creating delicious depth and ensuring each component contributes its unique flavor profile.

How to Store and Reheat This Bold Casserole

• Portion and Freeze: Divide the casserole into individual serving sizes before freezing. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. This method allows quick, convenient single-serve meals that thaw and reheat perfectly without compromising texture or flavor.
• Vacuum Seal: Protect the casserole from freezer burn by using a vacuum sealer. Remove all air from the packaging, which prevents moisture loss and maintains the dish's original taste and quality. Professional chefs recommend this technique for preserving delicate recipes like tater tot casseroles.
• Refrigerator Storage: Store leftovers in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness. Place the container in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety.

Twists to Take Your Tater Tot Casserole Up a Notch

• Spicy Southwest Sensation: Replace chili powder and cumin with taco seasoning, add diced jalapeños to the chicken mixture, and swap blue cheese ranch for a chipotle cream sauce.
• Mediterranean Chicken Transformation: Use oregano and garlic powder on tots, replace buffalo sauce with sun-dried tomato pesto, top with crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh basil.
• Tex-Mex Loaded Tot Casserole: Incorporate black beans and corn into the chicken mixture, sprinkle with pepper jack cheese, and finish with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.
• BBQ Pulled Chicken Edition: Substitute buffalo sauce with smoky barbecue sauce, add caramelized onions to the chicken, and top with sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon bits.

A Flavor-Packed End to Tater Tot Casserole Night

Buffalo chicken tater tot casserole brings a carnival of flavors to classic comfort cuisine.

Spicy chicken nestles between crispy potato tots, creating a mouthwatering culinary adventure.

Melted cheese cascades over seasoned layers, promising pure indulgence with each forkful.

Ranch and blue cheese drizzle adds creamy complexity to this hearty dish.

Zesty green onions and celery leaves provide fresh, sharp accents that elevate the entire experience.

Savor this crowd-pleasing masterpiece, share its deliciousness, spread the love through comments, and let friends discover this irresistible recipe.

Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole delivers spicy comfort straight from midwest kitchens. Crispy potato tots nestled with shredded chicken and zesty buffalo sauce create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) frozen potato tots
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 ½ cups shredded pepper jack cheese
• 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Sauces and Dressings:

• ¾ cup cayenne hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 2 cups ranch dressing
• ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
• Celery leaves (for garnish)
• Green onions (half reserved for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Spread frozen potato tots on a baking sheet and generously coat with chili powder and cumin, ensuring even distribution of seasonings.
2. Bake potato tots for approximately 35 minutes until they achieve a golden, crispy exterior. Meanwhile, prepare the chicken mixture by heating a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Melt butter in the skillet and add chicken pieces seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook chicken for 3 minutes, then incorporate chopped celery, minced garlic, and half of the sliced green onions.
4. Continue cooking the chicken mixture, stirring occasionally, until chicken is thoroughly cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius), about 5 additional minutes.
5. Pour hot sauce into the skillet with chicken and allow the mixture to simmer, creating a slightly thickened coating on the meat. Remove from heat once sauce reduces.
6. Switch oven setting to broil. Carefully distribute half of the shredded cheese over the crispy potato tots, then layer the chicken mixture on top.
7. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the chicken layer. Place the baking sheet under the broiler for approximately 3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
8. Simultaneously, prepare the blue cheese ranch by combining ranch dressing and crumbled blue cheese in a small mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Remove the potato tot casserole from the broiler once cheese is melted and slightly browned. Drizzle with prepared blue cheese ranch and any remaining hot sauce from the skillet.
10. Garnish with reserved celery leaves and remaining green onions. Serve immediately, either directly from the baking sheet or transferred to a serving dish.

Notes

• Spice Control: Start with a conservative amount of hot sauce, gradually increasing to suit individual heat preferences without overwhelming the entire dish.
• Advance Prep: Whip up the Blue Cheese Ranch dressing beforehand and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and saving valuable cooking time.
• Texture Perfection: Ensure potato tots achieve a golden, crisp exterior before introducing additional ingredients to maintain their satisfying crunch.
• Uniform Cooking: Slice chicken into consistent sizes, guaranteeing even heat distribution and preventing any pieces from becoming tough or undercooked.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking, Broiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 778 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 77 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg