These loaded BBQ chicken totchos are easy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Combining two favorites—tater tots and nachos—this totchos recipe is perfect as a party appetizer, a game-day snack, or a quick weeknight meal.
My version starts with a crispy layer of tater tots topped with shredded BBQ chicken, melty cheeses, pico de gallo, and pickled jalapeños. It finishes with extra BBQ sauce, a drizzle of sour cream, and fresh green onions.
What are totchos?
Totchos are simply nachos made with tater tots instead of tortilla chips. The crispy tots act as a sturdy base for toppings like cheese, tomatoes, jalapeños, and more. When baked until the cheese is melty and finished with BBQ sauce and sour cream, they’re impossible to resist.
Ingredients you will need
- Rotisserie chicken
- Frozen tater tots
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Mild cheddar cheese
- Pico de gallo
- Pickled jalapeños
- BBQ sauce and sour cream
- Green onion and/or cilantro
How to make loaded BBQ chicken totchos
Crispy tots are the foundation of great totchos. Preheat your grill or oven to 400°F (205°C). A pellet grill adds a hint of smoke, but an oven works just as well.
Lightly spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray so the tots don’t stick. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer, spray them lightly, and season with salt or your favorite BBQ seasoning.
Cook the tots for 30–40 minutes, until golden and crispy. The crispier they are, the better they’ll hold up under the toppings.
While the tots cook, prepare the chicken. Using rotisserie chicken keeps this quick and easy, but grilled or leftover chicken also works. Shred or chop the chicken and toss it with BBQ sauce until evenly coated.
When the tots are crisp, remove the baking sheet and spread the BBQ chicken evenly over them. Top with shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar, then spoon on pico de gallo and scatter pickled jalapeños. Return to the grill or oven for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and everything is warmed through.
Finish by drizzling extra BBQ sauce and sour cream over the totchos, then garnish with sliced green onions or chopped cilantro. Serve hot.
How to store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat on a baking sheet in a preheated oven for 10–15 minutes to restore crispness and heat through.
Variations
- Buffalo chicken totchos: Use buffalo sauce instead of BBQ and top with blue cheese crumbles.
- Different meats: Substitute pulled pork, ground beef, turkey, or leftover grilled meats. Crispy bacon bits are a tasty addition.
- Spicy: Add fresh jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce like sriracha for heat.
- Extra veggies: Include red onions, corn, black beans, or bell peppers for color and nutrition.
- Cheese sauce: Serve with queso on the side for extra cheesy indulgence.
FAQs
What does totchos mean?
Totchos are a mashup of tater tots and nachos. They’re versatile, easy to customize, and ideal for casual gatherings, movie nights, or any occasion when you want a shareable comfort food.
Why are my totchos soggy?
Sogginess usually comes from undercooked tots or overloading them with wet toppings. Make sure the tots are fully crisped (30–40 minutes) before adding saucy ingredients, and avoid piling on excess moisture.
How should I serve totchos?
Serve totchos hot from the oven with optional sides like guacamole, salsa, or queso. They pair well with burgers, sandwiches, or grilled meats.
Loaded BBQ chicken totchos (tater tot nachos recipe)
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
No reviews
Combining tater tots and nachos, these loaded BBQ chicken totchos are a crowd-pleasing, shareable appetizer that’s simple to prepare.
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 8
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded or chopped rotisserie chicken
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon salt or BBQ seasoning
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup pico de gallo
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup pickled jalapeños
- Green onion or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat grill or oven to 400°F (205°C). Shred or chop the rotisserie chicken and toss with ¼ cup BBQ sauce.
- Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick spray and arrange frozen tater tots in a single even layer.
- Lightly spray the tots and season with salt or BBQ seasoning.
- Cook on the grill or in the oven for 30–40 minutes, until the tots are golden and crispy.
- Remove the baking sheet and spread the BBQ-coated chicken over the tots.
- Top with pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, and shredded cheeses.
- Return to the grill or oven for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the chicken is heated through.
- Before serving, drizzle with extra BBQ sauce, a spoonful of sour cream, and garnish with green onions or cilantro.
- Author: Jordan Hanger
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer