Quick & Zesty Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Nachos Recipe

Loaded with zesty buffalo chicken tater tot nachos that pack a serious punch, this game-day favorite will steal the show at any gathering.

Crispy golden tater tots create the perfect base for spicy, tangy goodness.

Melted cheese cascades over tender chicken chunks seasoned with classic buffalo sauce.

Every bite delivers a mouthwatering combination of crunch and heat.

Jalapeños and blue cheese crumbles add an extra layer of bold flavor.

Ranch drizzles complete this irresistible appetizer that turns ordinary snacking into an epic culinary adventure.

You won’t be able to stop at just one serving of these addictive loaded nachos.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 530 kcal

Servings: 5

Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Nachos: Ingredients First

• Tater Tots: Crispy potato nuggets that create a golden, crunchy foundation for this epic nacho-style dish, choose frozen tots for consistent texture and easy preparation.

• Shredded Chicken, Pepper Jack Cheese: Tender, seasoned chicken provides protein punch while pepper jack adds creamy, spicy melting goodness, select rotisserie chicken for quick shredding and cheese with good melting properties.

• Buffalo Sauce, Green Onions: Tangy buffalo sauce delivers zesty heat and classic wing flavor, opt for restaurant-style buffalo sauce for authentic taste. Green onions bring fresh, sharp crunch and vibrant color contrast, choose firm, bright green stalks with crisp tips.

Tools to Help You Build Buffalo Chicken Nachos

• 9×13 inch sheet pan: Large baking pan for even cooking and crispy tater tots.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Shredding tool or cheese grater: For shredding pepper jack cheese and chicken.
• Broiler-safe pan: Must withstand high heat for melting cheese.
• Cutting board: For slicing green onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: To slice green onions precisely.

How to Cook Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Nachos

• Crispy Potato Base

Grab your favorite tater tots and spread them across a large baking sheet. Ensure they’re nicely spaced for maximum crunchiness. Bake until golden and super crisp, following package guidelines.

• Cheesy Chicken Layer

Once tots are perfectly cooked, top them with tender shredded chicken. Blanket the chicken with a generous spread of pepper jack cheese, creating a mouthwatering foundation.

• Broiler Transformation

Slide the pan under the broiler, watching carefully as the cheese melts into gooey perfection. The heat will create irresistible bubbling and slight browning across the surface.

• Flavor Explosion

Pull the pan from the oven and unleash a waterfall of zesty buffalo sauce. Let it cascade over the tots and chicken, ensuring every bite will pack a tangy punch.

• Fresh Finishing Touch

Sprinkle bright green onions across the top, adding a crisp, sharp contrast to the rich and spicy base. The green onions will provide a fresh pop of color and flavor that elevates the entire dish.

Buffalo Nachos Tips & Add-On Ideas

• Enhance crispiness by patting tater tots dry before baking and using a wire rack for extra air circulation.
• Adjust buffalo sauce intensity by mixing mild and hot versions or creating a homemade sauce with varying spice levels.
• Replace chicken with pulled pork, ground beef, or plant-based alternatives like seasoned jackfruit for diverse flavor profiles.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like blue cheese crumbles, sharp cheddar, or a Mexican cheese blend to elevate the nacho experience.
• Add extra layers of flavor with ranch drizzle, crispy bacon bits, diced jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream for a crowd-pleasing finish.

Serving Buffalo Chicken Nachos Crowd-Style

• Serve Up Spicy Party Bites: Transform this buffalo chicken tater tot nachos into an irresistible game day or movie night snack.
• Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer Platter: Arrange the nachos on a large wooden board with extra buffalo sauce, blue cheese dressing, and ranch dressing on the side for dipping.
• Quick Meal Companion: Pair with crisp celery sticks, carrot slices, and a cold beer or refreshing light beer to balance the spicy flavors.
• Cool Down the Heat: Offer a small bowl of sour cream or creamy ranch dressing nearby to help guests cool down the buffalo sauce's intense kick.

Save Buffalo Chicken Nachos Without the Sog

• Maximize Freshness: Store leftover Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Nachos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate the crispy tater tots from other wet ingredients to maintain their crunchiness.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore the original crispy texture. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make the tots soggy and less appealing.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Cook chicken and chop green onions in advance to streamline the cooking process. Keep ingredients separately refrigerated to maintain maximum freshness and quality.
• Portion and Freeze: For longer storage, freeze deconstructed ingredients separately. Cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months, while tater tots are best consumed within 1 month for optimal taste and texture.

Loaded Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Nachos Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Spicy buffalo chicken tater tot nachos merge crispy potato bites with zesty wing sauce and melted cheese. Layers of comfort ingredients combine for an irresistible game day snack you’ll devour with friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 32 oz (907 g) frozen tater tots
• 16 oz (454 g) shredded rotisserie chicken
• 16 oz (454 g) shredded pepper jack cheese
• 16 oz (454 g) Frank’s buffalo wings sauce
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Ignite oven to 425°F, positioning rack in central position and lining baking sheet with parchment paper for seamless cooking and effortless cleanup.
2. Tater Tot Arrangement: Distribute frozen tater tots across baking surface in uniform single layer, creating optimal spacing for achieving maximum crispiness and golden-brown exterior.
3. Initial Roasting Phase: Bake tots until perfectly crisped and golden, rotating baking sheet midway through cooking cycle to ensure consistent coloration and textural development.
4. Chicken Transformation: Warm shredded chicken, thoroughly coating with zesty buffalo sauce to infuse robust, tangy flavor profile throughout protein layer.
5. Cheese Integration: Strategically layer pepper jack cheese across seasoned chicken, ensuring complete coverage for luxurious melting potential and enhanced flavor complexity.
6. Broiling Finale: Transfer baking sheet to high broil setting, monitoring closely as cheese transforms into bubbling, molten landscape with subtle caramelized edges.
7. Flavor Amplification: Cascade additional buffalo sauce across prepared dish, creating dynamic flavor intensity and vibrant color contrast.
8. Garnish Application: Sprinkle finely chopped green onions across surface, introducing fresh herbal notes and visual appeal to completed dish.
9. Serving Presentation: Transfer immediately from oven to serving area, allowing guests to indulge in this crispy, spicy, cheese-laden culinary creation while at peak temperature and textural perfection.

Notes

• Crisp Tater Tot Base: Spread tots in single layer for maximum crunchiness and even golden-brown texture.
• Buffalo Sauce Coating: Thoroughly toss chicken to ensure complete flavor saturation and spicy coverage.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Watch broiler carefully to achieve perfect melted cheese without burning.
• Garnish for Balance: Green onions provide fresh, sharp contrast to rich and spicy nacho flavors.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking, Broiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 530
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1450 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg