This Chicken Tater Tot Bake is the ultimate comfort food that your whole family will request week after week. It is a simple, one-dish meal that combines creamy chicken, sweet corn, and crispy tater tots into one delicious casserole. Whether you are feeding hungry teenagers or looking for a stress-free weeknight dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed winner.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons why this Chicken Tater Tot Bake will become a staple in your household. First, it is a true one-dish meal, which means cleanup is a breeze. It is also incredibly versatile; you can serve it for a casual family dinner or as a hearty meal for a football team on game day. The combination of the creamy chicken base and the salty, crunchy tater tot topping is irresistible to both kids and adults. Best of all, it uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry and freezer.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup 2% low-fat milk
- 1 cup low-fat sour cream
- 1 can (10 ounce) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 can corn, drained
- 2 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 16 ounces frozen tater tots
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Dash of salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium-sized pot, combine the milk, low-fat sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, drained corn, and the cooked shredded chicken.
- Place the pot on the stove top over medium-high heat.
- Stir the mixture constantly and heat until all ingredients are well-combined and warmed through; this should take about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese along with a dash of salt and pepper.
- Pour the creamy chicken mixture into a 9×12 glass baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the mixture.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the cheese and chicken mixture.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 15 minutes uncovered to allow the tater tots to become golden and crispy.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Expert Tips / Pro Tips
To make this recipe even faster, you can use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Simply shred the meat and it is ready to go. Another tip for the best texture is to ensure your corn is very well-drained; extra liquid can make the base of the casserole too thin. If you want the crispiest tater tots possible, try arranging them in neat, vertical rows rather than just tossing them on top. This allows the heat to circulate better around each individual tot.
While this Chicken Tater Tot Bake is delicious as written, you can easily customize it. If you prefer a bit of a kick, swap the cheddar cheese for Pepper Jack and add a small can of diced green chiles to the chicken mixture. For extra protein and flavor, try stirring in some crispy bacon bits. You can also substitute the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or cream of celery if you prefer those flavors. If you want to add more vegetables, peas or diced carrots work wonderfully in this dish.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. A fresh green garden salad with a light vinaigrette helps balance the richness of the cheese and cream sauce. You can also serve it with warm breadsticks or garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce. For a classic comfort food experience, a side of steamed green beans or roasted broccoli adds a nice pop of color to the plate.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. To reheat, the oven is your best friend; placing a portion in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes will help the tater tots regain their crunch. To freeze this dish, you can assemble it fully (but do not bake it), wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake as directed, though you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 385 kcal |
| Total Fat | 22g |
| Saturated Fat | 10g |
| Cholesterol | 65mg |
| Sodium | 890mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g |
| Sugars | 4g |
| Protein | 19g |
FAQ
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
You should use cooked and shredded chicken for the best results. If you have frozen chicken, be sure to boil, bake, or pressure cook it before adding it to the casserole mixture.
What can I use if I do not have a 9×12 dish?
A standard 9×13 baking dish or a large oval casserole dish will work perfectly for this recipe. Just ensure the tater tots can fit in a relatively even layer on top.
How do I prevent the tater tots from getting soggy?
The key to crispy tots is the final 15 minutes of baking without the foil. This allows the moisture to escape and the tops of the tots to brown and crisp up.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this gluten-free by using a gluten-free condensed cream of chicken soup and ensuring your tater tots are certified gluten-free.
Chicken Tater Tot Bake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium-sized pot, combine the milk, low-fat sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, drained corn, and the cooked shredded chicken.1/4 cup 2% low-fat milk, 1 cup low-fat sour cream, 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 can corn, 2 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Place the pot on the stove top over medium-high heat.
- Stir the mixture constantly and heat until all ingredients are well-combined and warmed through; this should take about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese along with a dash of salt and pepper.1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 dash salt and pepper
- Pour the creamy chicken mixture into a 9×12 glass baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the mixture.1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top of the cheese and chicken mixture.16 ounces frozen tater tots
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 15 minutes uncovered to allow the tater tots to become golden and crispy.
- Serve warm and enjoy!