Alright, alright, listen up, y’all! Today, we’re gonna make somethin’ called Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. Don’t go gettin’ all fancy on me, it’s just chicken and taters, but dang good, ya hear?
First off, you gotta get yourself some cooked chicken. Now, I like to boil a whole chicken, but you can use whatever you got. Them rotisserie chickens from the store work just fine. Just shred it up real good, like you’re pullin’ weeds but with chicken.
Next up is the sauce. This is where that “buffalo” part comes in. Get yourself a bottle of that Frank’s RedHot sauce, the original stuff. None of that fancy garlic or honey mustard nonsense. Pour a good amount of that in a bowl, maybe a cup or so. Then, melt some butter, real butter, none of that fake stuff. Mix the butter in with the hot sauce. It should look all orangey and smell kinda tangy.
- Ingredient List:
- Cooked chicken, shredded
- Frank’s RedHot sauce
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Ranch dressing
- Frozen tater tots
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Now, this next part is important. You gotta make it creamy. Get yourself a block of cream cheese, the kind that comes in a foil wrapper. Let it sit out for a bit so it gets soft, then throw it in a bowl. Add some of that ranch dressing, the kind you dip your carrots in. Mix it all together real good till it’s smooth and creamy. You don’t want no lumps, just like when you’re makin’ gravy.
Once that’s done, mix the chicken, the hot sauce mixture, and the creamy stuff all together in a big bowl. Make sure everything is coated good. You want every bite to have that buffalo flavor.
Okay, now for the taters. Get yourself a bag of them frozen tater tots. You know, the little potato nuggets. Pour ’em into the bottom of a big ol’ casserole dish. Just dump ’em in there, don’t be shy.
Then, take that chicken mixture and spread it all over the top of the taters. Make sure it’s even, so everyone gets a fair share. Don’t be stingy now, we ain’t tryin’ to win no beauty contest, just fillin’ bellies.
Now, the last part, and maybe the best part, is the cheese. Get yourself a bag of shredded cheddar cheese, or whatever kind you like. Sprinkle that cheese all over the top of the chicken and taters. Don’t be shy with the cheese, the more the better, I always say. Cheese makes everything better, ain’t that the truth?
Once you got it all assembled, stick it in the oven. Set the oven to about 350 degrees and let it bake for, oh, I don’t know, maybe 30 or 40 minutes. You want the taters to be crispy and the cheese to be all melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it, though, you don’t want it to burn. Every oven is different, you know?
When it’s done, pull it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. It’ll be hot, hot, hot! Don’t go burnin’ your mouth now. I’ve burned my mouth so many times. You think I’d learn but nooooo. Then scoop yourself out a big ol’ portion and enjoy. This buffalo chicken tater tot casserole is good eatin’, I tell ya. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck. Everyone will love it, even them picky eaters.
Now, some folks like to add other stuff to it, like blue cheese or green onions or whatever. But I like to keep it simple. Just chicken, hot sauce, cream cheese, ranch, taters, and cheese. That’s all you need, I tell ya. It’s not somethin’ my mama used to make but I think she’d have liked it alright.
And that’s it! That’s how you make a buffalo chicken tater tot casserole. It ain’t rocket science, just good, down-home cookin’. Now go on and make it yourself. You won’t be disappointed. It’s the kind of dish that sticks to your ribs and makes you feel all warm and cozy inside. And isn’t that what food is all about? Fillin’ your belly and makin’ you happy. So go on, get cookin’!
