This Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is so easy to make and absolutely full of flavor. A chicken pot pie base meets crispy tater tots for a delicious match up. Plus, it takes less than an hour to make. Try this recipe for an easy dinner tonight!
I'm all about pastry dough on top of chicken pot pie, but these crispy tater tots are bringing serious competition. Just like my Chicken Dumpling Soup and Beef Short Ribs, get ready for the ultimate comfort food.
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Why You'll Love Tater Tot Casserole:
- It's filling and hearty
- Perfect for the Fall and Winter months
- The recipe only takes 15 minutes of prep, then pop it in the oven
- Great for an easy weeknight meal
For more easy weeknight meals, check out my Crockpot chicken enchiladas, Chicken and chorizo paella, and BBQ Shrimp with Coconut Rice.
Ingredients:
Tater Tots-The star of the recipe. You can use any frozen brand. These crisp up into the most delicious top layer and really MAKE this casserole.
Rotisserie Chicken-A store-bought rotisserie chicken is used for a quick and easy option. It pulls apart into tender meat and goes perfectly into the bottom layer of the casserole.
Butter and Flour- Create a simple roux that thickens the stock into a creamy stew. The roux allows us to skip out on the canned soup and bring in a better quality flavor.
Chicken Stock- Stock is made with the bones from the chicken and offers deeper flavor than broth. I highly suggest using stock for this recipe.
Milk- Whole milk brings in creamy texture and helps thicken the stock, along with the roux.
Onion, Garlic, Peas and Carrots-Vegetables to bring in flavor and texture.
*Full recipe ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions and Variations:
If you don't like using store bought rotisserie chicken, you can boil chicken breast and shred it.
Can't find a frozen peas and carrots medley? Just use a ¼ cup of each.
Using all of the vegetables creates a classic dish, but you can leave whatever vegetables you don't enjoy.
*I don't recommend using any other variations of milk, other than whole milk. I also highly suggest using chicken stock versus broth. These two items give us a really thick base, and if you use other variations, it may get runny in the casserole.
How to Make Chicken Tater Tot Casserole:
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Here are the Step by Step Instructions for Tater Tot Casserole.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place a dutch oven or large pot on the stovetop over medium low heat. Add in the butter and allow it to melt completely. Then, pour in the flour stirring with a wooden spoon to combine until smooth.
Step 2: Add in the onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir to combine well, then cover for 2 to 3 minutes to soften the onion. Slowly add in chicken stock ½ cup at a time, stirring in between to create a thick, smooth liquid.
Step 3: Toss in rotisserie chicken, peas, carrots and parsley into the chicken stock mixture. Stir.
Step 4: Pour in milk and stir to combine. Increase stovetop heat to medium and allow the mixture to come to a low boil. Stir every minute or two, for about 5 to 6 minutes until it thickens like a rich stew.
Step 5: Pour the chicken mixture into a casserole dish.
Step 6: Top the casserole with tater tots aligned in a flat row. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until the tater tots are fully cooked.
Step 7: Allow the casserole to cool for about 10 minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips:
- The roux just needs to combine well. You don't need to worry about cooking it to a darker color like you would in a gumbo.
- Once adding the milk, you want to stir frequently and keep it at a low boil, not rapid. Turn down the heat if needed.
- When adding the tater tots, arrange them in a single layer on the casserole so they cook evenly.
Big on Rotisserie Chicken recipes? Try my Chipotle Chicken Melt, Rotisserie Chicken Salad and Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas.
Recipe FAQs:
Try my White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese, Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad or Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots! All pair really well with comfort food dishes.
Allow the casserole to cool and wrap dish with plastic wrap or pack in sealed containers and store in the fridge. Use within 2 days.
I suggest reheating this casserole in a 375 degree oven for 15 minutes. For individual slices, place them on a cookie sheet and oven bake for 10 minutes or until warm throughout.
More Weeknight Meals You Will Love:
If you tried this Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
PrintRecipe
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is so easy to make and absolutely full of flavor. A chicken pot pie base meets crispy tater tots for a delicious match up. Plus, it takes less than an hour to make.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 and ½ cups chicken stock
- 1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed and hand pulled into pieces
- ½ cup frozen peas and carrots medley
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
- ½ cup whole milk
- a little over ½ of a 32 ounce bag of frozen tater tots (Buy a 32 ounce bag, because the amount will vary depending on casserole dish size)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Place a dutch oven or large pot on the stovetop over medium low heat. Add in the butter and allow it to melt completely. Then, pour in the flour stirring with a wooden spoon to combine until smooth.
- Add in the onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir to combine well, then cover for 2 to 3 minutes to soften the onion. Slowly add in chicken stock ½ cup at a time, stirring in between to create a thick, smooth liquid.
- Toss in rotisserie chicken, peas, carrots and parsley into the chicken stock mixture. Stir.
- Pour in milk and stir to combine. Increase stovetop heat to medium and allow the mixture to come to a low boil. Stir every minute or two, for about 5 to 6 minutes until it thickens like a rich stew.
- Pour the chicken stew mixture into a casserole dish.
- Top the casserole with tater tots aligned in a flat row. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until the tater tots are fully cooked.
- Allow the casserole to cool for about 10 minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Notes
- The roux just needs to combine well. You don't need to worry about cooking it to a darker color like you would in a gumbo.
- Once adding the milk, you want to stir frequently and keep it at a low boil, not rapid. Turn down the heat if needed.
- When adding the tater tots, arrange them in a single layer on the casserole so they cook evenly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: dinner
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: american
Keywords: chicken tater tot casserole, tater tot casserole
Rich
So good! Love the tater tot/pot pie style!
★★★★★
Tara Smithson
Thank you so much! I'm crazy about it too.