Crispy Tater Tot Casserole (Print version)

Golden tater tots layered atop creamy chicken and mixed vegetables create a hearty, satisfying dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken Mixture

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
02 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
03 - 1/2 cup sour cream
04 - 1/2 cup milk
05 - 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
06 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Topping

12 - 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
13 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, frozen mixed vegetables, 1 cup cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Evenly spread the chicken and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish.
04 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the chicken mixture.
05 - Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, until tater tots turn golden and crisp.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over tater tots. Return to oven and bake 5 to 10 minutes more, until cheese melts and bubbles.
07 - Remove casserole from oven and allow to rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 15 minutes of actual work, leaving you free to set the table or pour a drink.
  • The contrast between creamy filling and crispy-edged tater tots stays intact even after sitting on the plate.
  • Leftovers taste just as good cold from the fridge the next day, making it perfect for lunch boxes and midnight snacks.
02 -
  • The tater tots absolutely must start frozen; thawing them ahead turns them into dense, soggy pucks instead of crispy nuggets.
  • Don't skip the final 5-minute rest—it gives the filling time to set and the whole thing becomes so much easier to portion.
03 -
  • Buy the largest block of cheddar you can find and shred it yourself; pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as smoothly.
  • If your family loves crispy tater tot edges, spread them out with a little space between each one and bake for an extra 5 minutes before adding the final cheese.
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