Crispy Tater Tot Casserole (Print Version)

Golden crispy tater tots layered over creamy chicken and mixed vegetables for a cozy meal.

# Components:

→ 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)

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large bowl, mix cooked chicken, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, frozen vegetables, 1 cup cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
03 - Spread the chicken and vegetable mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
04 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the chicken filling.
05 - Bake uncovered for 35 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese atop tater tots, then bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
07 - Remove from oven, let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in an hour flat, which means weeknight dinner doesn't have to be stressful.
  • The crispy tater tots stay golden on top while the filling underneath stays warm and creamy, giving you two completely different textures in one bite.
  • You probably already have most of the ingredients hiding in your pantry or freezer.
02 -
  • The tater tots must stay frozen until they go into the oven. Thawing them beforehand turns them soft and defeats the whole purpose of having that crispy contrast.
  • If your filling looks thin, it will thicken as the casserole bakes and the vegetables release their moisture. Don't add extra liquid thinking you've made a mistake.
03 -
  • Buy tater tots from the restaurant supply aisle if you can find them—they're usually larger and crispier than the standard grocery store version.
  • If your casserole seems crowded in the oven, rotate the dish halfway through baking so the tater tots brown evenly on all sides.
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