Crispy Tater Tot Casserole (Printable Version)

Golden tater tots layered over a creamy chicken and vegetable filling for cozy family meals.

# 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 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)

# Method Steps:

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 black pepper until evenly 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 or until tater tots are golden and crispy.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots. Return to oven and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a one-dish dinner that feels like comfort without keeping you in the kitchen all evening.
  • The tater tots stay crispy on top while the filling stays tender underneath, creating this perfect textural contrast.
  • Rotisserie chicken means you can have this on the table in under an hour, even on nights when everything feels chaotic.
02 -
  • The tater tots must go in frozen; thawed tater tots release moisture and turn into a sad, mushy layer.
  • Don't skip the resting time—five minutes lets the filling firm up just enough to scoop cleanly without turning soupy on the plate.
  • The cheese topping step matters more than it sounds; it seals in moisture and adds a final layer of flavor that ties everything together.
03 -
  • Don't let the tater tots thaw—frozen is non-negotiable for keeping them crispy on the outside while the casserole cooks through.
  • If your oven runs hot, start checking the tater tots at 30 minutes; every oven is different, and golden is better than dark brown.
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