Crispy Tater Tot Casserole (Printable Version)

Golden tater tots atop creamy chicken and mixed vegetables for an easy, comforting dinner.

# 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 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots
13 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese for topping
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large bowl, mix cooked chicken, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, frozen mixed vegetables, 1 cup cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper until well 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 filling.
05 - Bake uncovered for 35 minutes until tater tots are golden and crisp.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the tater tots and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
07 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes of prep, leaving you time to set the table or pour a drink while the oven does the heavy lifting.
  • The tater tots stay crispy on top while everything underneath stays creamy and savory—a texture contrast that never gets old.
  • One dish, minimal cleanup, and it feeds a crowd without making you feel like you've been cooking all day.
02 -
  • Don't thaw the tater tots before using them, or they'll release moisture and turn soggy instead of crispy.
  • Real shredded cheese melts faster and smoother than the pre-shredded kind, which has anti-caking agents that interfere with texture.
  • That 5-minute rest at the end isn't just tradition—it actually makes a difference in how the casserole holds together when you scoop it out.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken to cut your actual hands-on time to almost nothing—it's already cooked, shredded, and flavorful.
  • The best version of this dish comes from not overthinking it; simple ingredients in the right proportions beat fancy substitutions every time.
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