Crispy Tater Tot Casserole (Print Version)

A hearty casserole featuring crispy tater tots layered with creamy chicken and mixed vegetables.

# What to Use:

→ 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 whole 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 ground 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)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large bowl, mix cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, frozen mixed vegetables, 1 cup cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper until evenly blended.
03 - Spread the chicken and vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
04 - Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the chicken mixture.
05 - Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, or until tater tots are golden and crisp.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over tater tots, then 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 Advice:

01 -
  • It's a one-dish dinner that feels like a celebration without any fussy steps or techniques.
  • The tater tots stay genuinely crispy on top while the filling underneath stays creamy and warm.
  • You can have it on the table in just over an hour, making weeknight stress feel manageable.
02 -
  • Don't thaw the tater tots before adding them; frozen is what keeps them crispy instead of turning into mush.
  • The five-minute rest between the first and second bake matters—it lets the filling finish cooking through without the tater tots burning.
03 -
  • Arrange tater tots in a tight grid pattern so they bake evenly and support each other instead of sinking into the sauce below.
  • Use sharp cheddar cheese for more flavor depth, and shred it fresh from a block rather than using pre-shredded if you have time—the texture stays silkier when it melts.
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