Crispy Tater Tot Casserole (Printable)

A cozy casserole with crispy tater tots atop a savory chicken and veggie blend, perfect for easy dinners.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large bowl, stir together cooked chicken, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, frozen mixed vegetables, 1 cup cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried 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, 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. Return to oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes of actual work, then the oven does the hard part while you fold laundry or pour a drink.
  • The contrast between crispy tater tots and creamy chicken filling is genuinely addictive—no one stops at one bite.
  • It feeds a crowd without looking like you stressed over dinner.
02 -
  • Never arrange the tater tots while they're even slightly thawed, or they'll steam instead of crisp and you'll end up with a soggy top layer.
  • The filling should taste slightly seasoned on its own before the tater tots go on top; you can't fix bland from underneath.
  • Don't skip the 5-minute rest at the end—it's the difference between a casserole that holds together and one that slides around the plate.
03 -
  • If your tater tots come out soft instead of crispy, check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer—ovens run cold more often than you think.
  • Shred your own chicken instead of using canned; it soaks up the sauce better and the texture is infinitely better.
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