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Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken, Bacon, & Tater Tot Bake

BaconBeefCheesyChickenDinnerHeartyPotatoPrep-AheadSavorySlow Cooker
Time :3 hours 10 minutes
Yield :6 servings
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Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken, Bacon, & Tater Tot Bake offers layered goodness with crispy bacon and cheese, perfect for easy crowds.
The first time I whipped up this Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken, Bacon, & Tater Tot Bake was the morning after a rather memorable promotion dinner. You know the kind—the kind that ends with slightly too much celebration and the promise of friends over for brunch the next day. My slow cooker, a trusty sidekick through many hosting adventures, seemed like the perfect choice for a dish that could simmer away as I nursed a strong cup of coffee. Thick-cut bacon sizzled away in my favorite cast iron skillet, a process that felt almost therapeutic as the bacon crisped to perfection.
Cheese was a critical component in this mid-morning masterpiece, and I opted for a mix of cheddar and Colby-Jack shredded right from the blocks. The fragrance of the spices, garlic powder and onion powder in particular, reminded me of family dinners where those simple but bold flavors made even the most mundane meals special. One thing I’ve learned over the years: layering the tater tots just right is key, adding to that satisfying cheesy, crispy contrast that’s so delightful.
A tip I can pass on is to make sure the tater tots are kept frozen until they hit the Crockpot—helps them maintain their character as they mingle with the savory notes of bacon and cheese. As aromas filled the kitchen, the promise of an easy indulgence beckoned everyone to gather. That morning, surrounded by friends recounting the night's accomplishments, felt like the perfect mix of spontaneous celebration and cozy comfort.

Ingredients

  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese or Colby-Jack blend shredded
  • 3 large chicken breasts boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2/3 cup milk 2% or whole milk

Directions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Place the bacon in the skillet and cook until crispy.
  • Remove the bacon from the skillet and place on paper towels to drain.
  • Let the bacon cool, and then crumble it and set is aside.
  • Spray the pot of a slow cooker with nonstick spray.
  • Place half of the tater tots in an even layer in the slow cooker.
  • Top the layer of frozen tater tots with 1/3 of the cheese and 1/2 of the crumbled bacon.
  • Place the chicken on top of the cheese-bacon layer.
  • Season the chicken with the salt, the pepper, the garlic powder, and the onion powder.
  • Spread 1/2 of the remaining cheese on top of the seasoned chicken.
  • Place the remaining tater tots over the cheese in an even layer.
  • Top with the remaining cheese and the remaining bacon.
  • Pour the milk over the top of the entire dish.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high until the chicken is cooked through, about 3 hours.
  • Serve warm!
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