Crispy Tater Tot Casserole (Print Version)

Golden tater tots atop creamy chicken and mixed vegetables for hearty, easy weeknight dinners.

# 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 to Follow:

01 - Preheat the 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 combined.
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 filling.
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 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 parsley if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes of actual work, then the oven does the heavy lifting while you pour a drink and sit down.
  • Nobody suspects they're eating vegetables because the cheese and crispy tater tots are too busy stealing the show.
  • One dish, minimal cleanup, and leftovers that taste even better the next day—that's the dream.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time after baking; it's the difference between a casserole that holds together and one that falls apart on the plate.
  • If your tater tots come out pale instead of golden, your oven might run cold—check with an oven thermometer and adjust your rack position if needed.
  • Frozen mixed vegetables work better here than fresh because they release moisture gradually instead of watering down your filling.
03 -
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to check that your chicken casserole reaches at least 160°F in the center so you know everything is heated through.
  • If you're cooking for picky eaters, dice the vegetables finely in the chicken mixture or use cream of chicken soup that already has vegetables suspended in it—they won't notice, and they'll eat more.
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