Crispy Tater Tot Casserole (Printable Version)

Golden tater tots layered over creamy chicken and mixed vegetables, baked to crispy perfection.

# 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)

# Steps:

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

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • It comes together in fifteen minutes of actual work, leaving you free to handle homework, phone calls, or just breathing.
  • The crispy-on-top, creamy-underneath contrast is pure comfort without pretense.
  • Kids eat it without negotiation, and adults go back for seconds without admitting how much they wanted to.
02 -
  • Don't thaw the tater tots; frozen ones stay crispy on the outside while the casserole heats through underneath.
  • If you have time, let the chicken mixture cool slightly before topping with tater tots to prevent them from getting soggy on the bottom.
  • Taste your filling before it goes in the oven—seasoning can get lost in all that creamy base, so adjust salt and pepper if needed.
03 -
  • If your tater tots aren't crisping up, your oven temperature might be off; invest in an oven thermometer to know for sure.
  • Shred your own cheddar from a block rather than using pre-shredded if you want a smoother, creamier sauce without anti-caking agents.
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