Crispy Tater Tot Casserole (Printable)

Golden tater tots atop a creamy chicken and vegetable filling, perfect for comforting meals.

# 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 - Combine cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, frozen mixed vegetables, 1 cup cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Stir until fully 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 mixture.
05 - Bake uncovered for 35 minutes until the tater tots are crisp and golden.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over tater tots. Bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • One pan, minimal prep, maximum satisfaction—the kind of meal that fits into real life.
  • Crispy tater tots stay golden and crunchy even under cheese, a small miracle that never gets old.
  • The creamy filling underneath is savory and rich enough to feel special, but familiar enough that picky eaters actually eat it.
02 -
  • Frozen tater tots must stay frozen until they go into the oven; thawing them makes them soggy and defeats the entire purpose of this dish.
  • The filling will look thin when you spread it, but the tater tots soak up just the right amount as they cook—trust the timing and don't add extra liquid.
03 -
  • If you notice the tater tots browning too quickly before the filling is hot, loosely tent foil over the top and remove it for the final 10 minutes of baking.
  • Adding an extra 1/4 cup of milk makes the filling more creamy; using less keeps it thicker and more filling-like—choose based on your preference.
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