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Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Name: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 carrot (diced); 2 stalks celery (diced); 1 onion (diced); ¼ cup all purpose flour; 2 cans (10.5 oz cream of chicken soup); ½ cup milk; 3 to 4 cups shredded (cooked chicken); 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; ½ cup cheddar cheese (shredded); 1 package (32 oz frozen tater tots, thawed); Cooking Spray

Kasey Schwartz

3.5

Jan 16, 2023, Updated Mar 24, 2023

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Chicken tater tot casserole is a new spin on an old favorite! Instead of ground beef, we use shredded chicken in this creamy, irresistible casserole.

close up image of chicken tater tot casserole with a wooden spoon digging in

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We love classic tater tot casserole and our tater tot breakfast casserole, but this chicken tater tot casserole is pretty unique! It’s made with chicken instead of ground beef, which means it has all that creamy flavor you love (plus the tater tots!), but it’s not quite as filling.

But don’t get me wrong, this chicken tater tot casserole is still a super comforting, cheesy dish since it’s made from tater tots and shredded chicken smothered in a creamy sauce. Something about that combination of crispy tater tots, rich cream sauce, and tender chicken is just impossible to resist!

Chicken tater tot casserole is the perfect comfort food for family dinners and potlucks alike. It’s always a winner!

top down image of chicken tater tot casserole with a wooden spoon

Easy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

The best part about this chicken tater tot casserole is that you can customize it with your favorite ingredients. Try a different kind of soup, or layer in lots of extra veggies (we love green peppers, onions, mushrooms, steamed broccoli!).

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention, this dish is super easy to make and it can be ready in under an hour! Use leftover chicken from another meal and this chicken tater tot casserole comes together lickety-split.

(PS – Make sure you try my Loaded Tater Tots too!)

Ingredients

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Unsalted butter – If you only have salted butter on hand, simply add less salt later in the recipe.
Carrot
Celery
Onion – White or yellow onion will work here.
All-purpose flour
Cream of chicken soup
Milk – Whole milk will give you the richest, creamiest sauce.
Shredded cooked chicken – A rotisserie chicken is great for this, or use leftover baked chicken breasts.
Kosher salt – Kosher salt has larger crystals than table salt, so if you need to use table salt, you’ll have to use less. Start with half the amount, taste, and add more if needed.
Black pepper
Cheddar cheese
Frozen tater tots – You’ll need to thaw these before assembling the casserole.
Cooking spray

Variations

Substitute sweet potato or cauliflower tots for the tater tots.
Try another cream soup, like cream of celery or cream of mushroom.
Stir in some frozen vegetables like corn, peas, or green beans, or add cooked bacon.

step 1 to make chicken tater tot casserole

step 2 to make chicken tater tot casserole

How to Make Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375ºF and coat the inside of a 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
Cook the vegetables: In a large saucepan set over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the carrot, celery, and onion and cook until they’re translucent and softened, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Add the flour: Stir the flour into the vegetable mixture and continue to cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Make the casserole mixture: In a large bowl, mix together the vegetables, soup, milk, chicken, salt, and pepper.
Assemble: Transfer the casserole mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the cheese over the top, then arrange the tater tots over the cheese. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the remaining cheese.
Cook: Bake the casserole until it’s heated through and the top is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes.

wooden spoonful of chicken tater tot casserole

Quick Tip

It may be necessary to loosely tent the top of the casserole with aluminum foil if you notice the tater tots are getting dark too early. Check on it after 10 to 15 minutes in the oven.

plate of a serving of chicken tater tot casserole

How to Store Leftover Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Leftover chicken tater tot casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or a 350ºF oven until warmed through. Leftovers can also be frozen for up to 3 months; take out of the freezer and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Serve chicken tater tot casserole with a side of roasted broccoli or a fresh green salad. For bigger appetites, try serving it with a side of homemade dinner rolls!

FAQs

What is another name for tater tot casserole?

Tater tot casserole is sometimes known as potato tot bake, tater tot hotdish or simply hotdish.

How can I improve my casserole flavor?

This chicken tater tot casserole is packed with flavor, but some casseroles have a tendency to be bland! Fresh herbs will perk up their flavor, or try adding some shredded parmesan in addition to any other shredded cheeses called for in the recipe.

Is tater tot casserole a midwest thing?

Yes, tater tot casserole is a classic midwestern dish. It’s often served as a main course for family dinners and potlucks in the region.

Is a casserole a main dish?

Casseroles are usually served as a main dish. They’re often filled with protein and vegetables like this chicken tater tot casserole, making them a complete meal on their own.