Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F degrees. Then, take a 9x13-inch baking dish and spray it thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray. The baking dish should be lightly coated to prevent sticking, and then set it aside.
- In a large skillet, melt 4 Tablespoons of butter over medium high heat. Add in 1 small diced yellow onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes. Cook until the onions are softened and fragrant, becoming translucent.
- Next, whisk in 4 Tablespoons of all purpose flour. Keep stirring constantly while it cooks for about 1-2 minutes. This step is crucial as it prevents lumps and ensures a smooth, rich sauce.
- Slowly pour 2 cups of chicken stock or broth into the flour mixture, whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Stir in ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately turn down the heat and allow it to gently simmer. Whisk frequently for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened and is well combined.
- Turn the heat all the way down to low. Stir in 4 ounces (1/2 block) of cream cheese, cubed and softened to room temperature, along with ¼ cup of milk. Whisk constantly until the cream cheese has completely melted and is smoothly combined. Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easier blending.
- Turn off the heat. Add in a 10 ounce bag of frozen mixed vegetables and 3 cups of diced rotisserie chicken. Stir until everything is well coated in the creamy sauce.
- Spread the chicken and vegetable mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Next, sprinkle 1.5 cups of crispy fried onions directly over the chicken mixture, creating an even layer. This is my special twist for extra flavor and crunch.
- Place the 32 ounce bag of frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the crispy fried onions. Arrange in a single layer, covering the entire surface of the pot pie. It is okay if you don't use every single tot from the bag.
- Bake the pot pie in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes. The tater tots should be crispy and golden brown, indicating they are cooked through.
- Finally, sprinkle 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the tater tots. Bake for another 4-5 minutes for the cheese to melt and become bubbly. For a crispier cheese topping, you can place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish your Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie with a little fresh parsley if you wish. Then, serve it immediately while it's hot and wonderfully comforting.
Notes
For smooth sauce, use softened cream cheese. Don't thaw tater tots. Assemble ahead, refrigerate for up to 24 hours, adding 10-15 mins to baking if cold. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.