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Tater Tot Chicken Pot

Featured in: Comfort Food Love

This dish layers tender cooked chicken and a medley of peas, carrots, corn, and green beans in a creamy, flavorful sauce enhanced with garlic and thyme. Instead of traditional pastry, a golden, crispy tater tot topping adds texture and heartiness. Easy to prepare with common pantry staples, it's a warm and budget-friendly option for family meals. Optional cheddar cheese boost brings extra richness.

Baked at 400°F until bubbling and golden, this comforting meal is perfect for cozy dinners, with simple substitutions like turkey or ham if preferred. Serve with a fresh green salad to complete the spread.

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Updated on Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:17:00 GMT
Golden-brown tater tots crown a creamy chicken pot pie, a comforting family favorite. Save
Golden-brown tater tots crown a creamy chicken pot pie, a comforting family favorite. | tastyeffect.com

A comforting twist on the classic chicken pot pie, topped with crispy tater tots instead of pastry. Budget-friendly, hearty, and perfect for family dinners.

This recipe was a hit the very first time I made it. Swapping out the traditional pastry for tater tots gave my family something new to love and satisfied every craving for comfort food.

Ingredients

  • Cooked chicken: 2 cups, shredded or diced (rotisserie or leftover chicken works well)
  • Frozen mixed vegetables: 1 ½ cups (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
  • Onion: 1 small, diced
  • Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons
  • All-purpose flour: 2 tablespoons
  • Low-sodium chicken broth: 1 ½ cups
  • Milk: ½ cup (any type)
  • Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon
  • Dried thyme: ½ teaspoon
  • Salt and black pepper: To taste
  • Frozen tater tots: 1 (28-ounce) bag
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (optional): ½ cup, for topping

Instructions

Preheat:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare vegetables:
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and add onion. Cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
Make the roux:
Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Add liquids:
Slowly whisk in chicken broth and milk, ensuring no lumps form. Cook until thickened, 3-4 minutes.
Season and combine:
Add garlic powder, thyme, salt, pepper. Stir in vegetables and chicken. Simmer 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Transfer to dish:
Transfer filling to a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
Add tater tots:
Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over filling.
Bake:
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until tater tots are golden and crispy. If desired, sprinkle cheddar cheese over the tots in the last 5 minutes.
Rest:
Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
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| tastyeffect.com

This is a regular request at our family table, especially during busy weeknights when everyone craves something filling. There is nothing like passing the casserole dish around and hearing the kids ask for seconds.

Required Tools

Large skillet for cooking vegetables and sauce, whisk for mixing, 9x13-inch baking dish and oven for baking.

Allergen Information

Contains milk and wheat (gluten). May contain soy or egg depending on tater tot and cheese choices. Always check labels carefully if you have allergies in the family.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories, 390 Protein, 19 g Carbohydrates, 36 g Total fat, 18 g

A bubbling, savory Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie, with crispy tots and a hearty filling. Save
A bubbling, savory Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie, with crispy tots and a hearty filling. | tastyeffect.com

This pot pie brings smiles to the dinner table every time. Warm, filling, and easy to adapt, it is sure to become a regular in your home.

Recipe FAQ

→ Can I substitute other proteins for chicken?

Yes, turkey or ham can be used as alternatives for a similar flavor and texture.

→ What vegetables work best in this dish?

A mix of peas, carrots, corn, and green beans provides a balanced, colorful blend that complements the chicken well.

→ How do I ensure the sauce thickens properly?

Cook flour with butter before adding broth and milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps and allow thickening over 3-4 minutes.

→ Can I add cheese to the topping?

Sprinkling shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots in the last five minutes of baking adds rich flavor and gooey texture.

→ What is the recommended cooking temperature and time?

Bake the assembled dish at 400°F (200°C) for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden and crispy.

Tater Tot Chicken Pot

Tender chicken and mixed vegetables baked beneath a crispy tater tot topping.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
35 min
Complete duration
50 min
Created by Laura Bennett


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 6 Portions

Dietary requirements None specified

Components

Protein

01 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced

Vegetables

01 1 ½ cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
02 1 small onion, diced

Sauce

01 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
03 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
04 ½ cup milk (any variety)
05 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
06 ½ teaspoon dried thyme
07 Salt and black pepper, to taste

Topping

01 1 (28-ounce) bag frozen tater tots

Optional

01 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Phase 01

Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 400°F and allow it to preheat fully.

Phase 02

Cook Onions: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until softened, approximately 3 minutes.

Phase 03

Make Roux: Incorporate the flour into the melted butter and onion mixture, stirring continuously, and cook for 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste.

Phase 04

Add Liquids: Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, ensuring a smooth mixture. Cook the sauce until thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Phase 05

Combine Filling: Season the sauce with garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir in mixed vegetables and cooked chicken. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to heat through.

Phase 06

Assemble Dish: Transfer the prepared filling evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Phase 07

Add Tater Tot Layer: Arrange frozen tater tots in a single even layer on top of the filling.

Phase 08

Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy. In the final 5 minutes, optionally sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots to melt.

Phase 09

Rest Before Serving: Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes after baking to set before serving.

Necessary tools

  • Large skillet
  • Whisk
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Oven

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare advice if uncertain.
  • Contains milk and wheat (gluten). May contain soy depending on brand of tater tots and egg if cheese is included. Verify allergen information on ingredient labels.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are approximate guides only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Energy: 390
  • Fats: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 19 g