Crack Chicken Tater Tot Cups

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Crack Chicken Tater Tot Cups Recipe – Crispy tater tots stuffed with a mouthwatering mix of chicken, cheddar, bacon, and ranch, they’re the perfect bite-sized treat for any occasion. Whether it’s a party, game day, or a fun family dinner, these deliciously addictive cups will be a crowd favorite.

platter of crack chicken tater tot bites with text overlayplatter of crack chicken tater tot bites with text overlay

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Loaded Tater Tot Cups

These Crack Chicken Tater Tot Cups are DELICIOUS! Crispy tater tots form a deliciously crunchy shell that is filled with a creamy, cheesy mixture of chicken, crispy bacon, zesty ranch seasoning, and cheddar cheese. Each bite delivers a mouthful of savory flavors that dance together in harmony. These little cups are like a flavor-packed party in your mouth—perfect for game day, a fun appetizer, or even just because you deserve a tasty treat!

What does CRACK mean?

If a recipe has “crack” in the title it means that the recipe has cheddar, bacon, and ranch in the ingredients. It all started with my Crack Dip way back in 2007. I made the dip for a Titans football game. Everyone went crazy over it. We couldn’t stop eating it and said it was like crack. The name stuck. 

According to the dictionary, the definition of crack is “of superior excellence or ability”. We think the flavor combination of cheddar, bacon, and ranch fits this definition! This recipe is most definitely of superior excellence!

crack chicken tater tot bites in a mini muffin pancrack chicken tater tot bites in a mini muffin pan

How to Make Crack Chicken Tater Tot Cups

This recipe is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place two frozen tater tots in each muffin cup. Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes.

While the tater tots are cooking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, ranch dressing, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese.

Remove tater tots from the oven. Using a tart tamper tool, press potatoes into the muffin cups. Spoon chicken filling into the potato cups. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the tater tots are a deep golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with parsley or green onions.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

  • I use rotisserie chicken in this recipe. You can use any cooked chicken in this recipe – chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, or canned chicken.
  • Use precooked bacon for quick prep.
    • Can substitute turkey bacon.
  • If you don’t have a tart tamper tool, you can use a shot glass or muddler.
  • Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing made with mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/copycat-outback-ranch-dressing/
  • Can Tater Tot Cups be made in advance? Yes! Prepare the filling. Baket he tater tots and form the cups. Add the filling. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
    • You may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time if baking straight for the refrigerator.
  • Can Tater Tot Cups be frozen? Yes! Bake the tater tot cups and cool completely. Place the tot cups on a baking sheet and freeze them. Transfer the frozen bites to a freezer bag and store them in the freezerfor up to 3 months.
    • Reheat bites in the oven or air fryer.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
platter of crack chicken tater tot bitesplatter of crack chicken tater tot bites

What to Serve with Crack Chicken Tater Tot Cups

These tater tot appetizers are a favorite at our house. They are great for football parties, holiday parties, lunch, dinner, or an afternoon snack. They are a flavor-packed treat that pairs perfectly with a variety of side dishes to round out your meal. 

  • To keep the party vibe going strong, pair these tasty bites with a lineup of classic football snacks that everyone loves. Burgers, Buffalo Wings, and veggies sticks with homemade Ranch dressing.
  • For a fresh contrast, a crisp green salad with a zesty vinaigrette works wonders, adding a light, refreshing bite to balance the richness of the tater tot cups. 
  • If you’re leaning into comfort food territory, consider serving them alongside some roasted veggies or a creamy coleslaw, which adds a nice crunch and a hint of tang. 
  • If you’re looking to make it a heartier meal, a simple soup, like tomato basil or a classic chicken noodle, would complement the flavors without overpowering them. 

Whether it’s for game day or a casual dinner, these pairings will round out your meal perfectly. Looking for more gameday recipes? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

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platter of crack chicken tater tot bites with text overlayplatter of crack chicken tater tot bites with text overlay

Crack Chicken Tater Tot Cups

Yield: 24 cups

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Crack Chicken Tater Tot Cups Recipe – Crispy tater tots stuffed with a mouthwatering mix of chicken, cheddar, bacon, and ranch, they’re the perfect bite-sized treat for any occasion. Whether it’s a party, game day, or a fun family dinner, these deliciously addictive cups will be a crowd favorite.

  • Preheat oven to 425ºF. Spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

  • Place 2 tater tots in each cup of a mini muffin pan. Bake for 15 minutes.

  • In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, ranch dressing, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese.

  • Remove tater tots from the oven. Using a tamper, press the partially baked tots down to form cups.

  • Spoon the chicken mixture into the tater tot cups.

  • Bake for an additional 15 minutes.

  • I use rotisserie chicken in this recipe. You can use any cooked chicken in this recipe – chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, or canned chicken.
  • Use precooked bacon for quick prep.
    • Can substitute turkey bacon.
  • If you don’t have a tart tamper tool, you can use a shot glass or muddler.
  • Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing made with mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/copycat-outback-ranch-dressing/
  • Can Tater Tot Cups be made in advance? Yes! Prepare the filling. Bake the tater tots and form the cups. Add the filling. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
    • You may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time if baking straight for the refrigerator.
  • Can Tater Tot Cups be frozen? Yes! Bake the tater tot cups and cool completely. Place the tot cups on a baking sheet and freeze them. Transfer the frozen bites to a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    • Reheat bites in the oven or air fryer.

Steph

Remember this recipe.

Pin this recipe to your favorite board now to remember it later!

Pin This Recipe

crack chicken tater tot bites in a mini muffin pan with text overlaycrack chicken tater tot bites in a mini muffin pan with text overlay

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