Creamy, cheesy and full of bacon, this Jalapeno Popper Tater Tot Casserole is perfection. It takes all the best parts of what makes a great Jalapeno popper and puts it into a casserole dish.
I feel casserole recipes are a year round meal you can serve to your family. Weeknight meals are the perfect time for this recipe.
Just layer everything in the casserole dish and you're good to go. A great one pot dish.
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe so yummy
- Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
- Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Necessary gear: Equipment
- More casserole recipes I think you'll love
- How to store leftovers
- Mel's kitchen notes
- Melanie Cagle
- Frequently asked questions: FAQs
- Jalapeno Popper Tater Tot Casserole
- 💬 Comments
What makes this recipe so yummy
- It literally tastes just like you're eating jalapeno poppers off the grill.
- The added tater tots and shredded chicken turn this recipe into a one-pot meal.
- This is a great Game Day dish.
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Step 1: Layer the tater tots in the bottom of your casserole dish and bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: In the meantime, toast the jalapeno peppers.
- Step 3: Add the cream cheese, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with the paddle attachment for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Add half of the shredded cheese, bacon and green onions and the diced toasted jalapeno peppers.
- Step 5: Add 3 cups of shredded chicken on top of the crispy tater tots.
- Step 6: Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the chicken.
- Step 7: Sprinkle cheese (remaining) on top.
- Step 8: Decorate with the remaining bacon, green onions and some jalapeno slices - then bake for 20-25 minutes.
Hint: The cream cheese layer is going to be the key to the flavor of your casserole. Taste the cream cheese first, before layering, to make sure you're happy with the seasoning.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Cheddar Cheese- instead of Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend.
- Garlic Salt - instead of salt and garlic powder.
- Chicken Thighs - you could add this instead, chopped.
- Chicken Stock - instead of the milk.
- Taco Seasonings - this could add a slightly more Mexican flavor.
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Necessary gear: Equipment
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I like to use my stand mixer for dishes where I have to mix ingredients. It takes the effort out of it. If you don't have one though, you could mix by hand - with a little elbow grease.
You'll also need a 9x13" Casserole dish and a large skillet.
More casserole recipes I think you'll love
How to store leftovers
Once the Jalapeno Popper Tater Tot Casserole has cooled completely, cover with aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or you could decant to an airtight container, but that could end up a mess.
Mel's kitchen notes
Don't skip toasting the jalapenos. It gives the jalapenos a much needed toasty flavor that you might get when grilling them and really adds to the whole 'Jalapeño Poppers' theme.
About The Author
Melanie Cagle
Melanie is a professional cook, food photographer and Cajun food connoisseur. Since 2020 she has been sharing rigorously tested recipes and tutorials right here on this blog.
Her work has been featured on Fox News channels, Yahoo news, Southern Living and more.
Frequently asked questions: FAQs
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Jalapeno Popper Tater Tot Casserole
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-½ Pounds Frozen Tater Tots
- 5 Each Jalapeno Peppers toasted and chopped
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 2 (8 Ounce) Blocks Cream Cheese softened
- ¼ Cup Milk
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 3 Cups Rotisserie Chicken
- 2 Cups Colby Jack Cheese shredded and divided
- 6 Each Green Onions chopped (divided)
- 1 Pound Bacon cooked, diced and divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Layer the tater tots in the bottom of a 9x13" casserole dish and bake for 20 minutes.1-½ Pounds Frozen Tater Tots
- In the meantime, deseed the jalapenos (optional), then toast in a large skillet for about 5 minutes each side, over medium-high heat.5 Each Jalapeno Peppers
- Add the cream cheese, sour cream, milk and seasonings to the bowl of a stand mixer then mix with the paddle attachment, on low, for 2 minutes, until creamy.1 Cup Sour Cream, 2 (8 Ounce) Blocks Cream Cheese, ¼ Cup Milk, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- Add half of the bacon, half of the green onions, half of the shredded cheese and the diced, toasted jalapeños and mix again.2 Cups Colby Jack Cheese, 6 Each Green Onions, 1 Pound Bacon
- Layer the shredded chicken on top of the baked tater tots.3 Cups Rotisserie Chicken
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the chicken layer.
- Top with the remaining cheese.
- Then top with the remaining bacon, green onions and some slices of jalapenos.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly all around.
- Remove and allow to sit for 10 minutes before digging in.
Nutrition
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Jeremy Ribeiro dos Santos says
Hi Melanie, just a quickie - what are tater tots? presumably small pieces of potato - small new potatoes or something like a mash ball?
Melanie Cagle says
Hi Jeremy - they're shredded potatoes, smashed together in the shape of a tiny barrel, or cylinder. Tater tots is a brand name - kids love them!