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Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Cheesy chicken tater tot casserole with a creamy shredded chicken filling and a golden, crispy tater tot topping. Bake until the tots are crisp, then melt extra cheddar over the top for a layered, cheesy finish.
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Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheesy chicken tater tot casserole
  • 3 cup cooked shredded chicken Use cooked chicken that you can shred; fresh or leftover both work.
  • 1 can (10.75 oz) cream of chicken soup Classic canned soup creates the creamy casserole base.
  • 0.5 cup sour cream Stirs in richness and tang for the sauce-like filling.
  • 1 cup frozen corn No need to thaw; fold in directly.
  • 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Divided topping and melting layer.
  • 1 bag frozen tater tots Keep frozen for best browning and crisping.
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder Adds savory depth to the chicken mixture.
  • 1 Salt and pepper, to taste Season to preference; start with a light hand and adjust before baking.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Mix the filling
  1. In a bowl, mix cooked shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, frozen corn, onion powder, and salt and pepper until evenly combined (no lumps of soup).
  2. Spread the chicken mixture into a greased baking dish in an even layer so the top browns uniformly.
Layer and bake
  1. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken layer so it melts into the filling during baking.
  2. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top for maximum crisping and even coverage.
  3. Bake at 400°F for 35-40 minutes, until the tater tots are golden and crispy (keep the baking dish uncovered the whole time).
  4. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar over the tots, then bake 5 more minutes at 400°F until the cheese is melted and glossy.

Notes

Pro tip: bake the tater tots uncovered the entire time to prevent sogginess and keep them crisp. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days in a sealed container; reheat in the oven or air fryer for best texture. Freezing is not recommended because the tots can lose crispness after thawing. For a lighter option, swap half the cheddar for part-skim mozzarella and use light sour cream.