Pin this 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.
I first made this recipe when looking for an easy weeknight meal using leftover rotisserie chicken. My family loved the crunchy tater tot topping, and now it&aposs a regular comfort dish in our house.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken: Shredded or diced, rotisserie or leftover chicken works well
- 1 ½ cups frozen mixed vegetables: Peas, carrots, corn, green beans
- 1 small onion: Diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter: For sauce
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: For thickening
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth: Liquid base
- ½ cup milk: Any type
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: For flavor
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme: For flavor
- Salt and black pepper: To taste
- 1 (28-ounce) bag frozen tater tots: Topping
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese: Optional topping
Instructions
- Preheat:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
- Sauté aromatics:
- In large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes
- Make roux:
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly
- Add liquids:
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring to prevent lumps. Cook until thickened, 3-4 minutes
- Combine filling:
- Add garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir in mixed vegetables and chicken. Simmer 2-3 minutes until heated through
- Assemble:
- Transfer filling to 9x13-inch baking dish and spread evenly
- Add tater tots:
- Arrange frozen tater tots in single layer over filling
- Bake:
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy. Sprinkle cheddar cheese in last 5 minutes if using
- Rest and serve:
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving
Pin this This dish has become a favorite at family gatherings, especially during the colder months. The kids love helping arrange the tater tots on top, turning dinner into a fun moment for everyone.
Required Tools
Large skillet, whisk, 9x13-inch baking dish, oven
Allergen Information
Contains milk, wheat (gluten). May contain soy or egg depending on the tater tot and cheese brands. Always check ingredient labels before serving.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 390 calories, 18 g total fat, 36 g carbohydrates, 19 g protein
Pin this Serve this pot pie after a brief rest for best results. Leftovers reheat well for easy lunches the next day.
Frequently Asked Recipe Questions
- → Can I substitute chicken with other proteins?
Yes, turkey or ham can be used as alternatives to chicken, providing similar texture and flavor balance.
- → What vegetables work best in this dish?
Frozen mixed vegetables such as peas, carrots, corn, and green beans offer a convenient and colorful mix, but fresh or canned options also work well.
- → How do I get crispy tater tots on top?
Baking at 400°F for 30-35 minutes allows the tater tots to turn golden and crispy, creating a wonderful crunchy topping.
- → Is it possible to add cheese to this dish?
Sprinkling shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots during the last 5 minutes of baking adds creamy, melted richness.
- → How can I make the filling thicker?
Cooking the butter and flour mixture until it becomes a light roux before adding broth and milk helps achieve a creamy, thick consistency.