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Easy Pantry Chicken Pot Pie Tater Tot Casserole Recipe!

Easy Pantry Chicken Pot Pie Tater Tot Casserole Recipe!

By Mona - Far From The Farm
August 5, 2026
No pastry? Try this chicken pot pie substitute pie crust recipe! An easy pantry tater tot casserole perfect for busy nights!
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Makes: 6 ( 4 - 6 )
Approximate cost $10
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 ( 4 - 6 )
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 631
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 21 oz cream of chicken soup - 2 cans
  • 30 oz canned mixed vegetables, drained - 2 cans
  • 1/4 cup frozen diced onion
  • 1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 1/2 tbsp nonfat dry milk powder
  • 1 tsp salt - or to taste
  • 1 tsp black pepper - or to taste
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 32 oz frozen tater tots - 1 large bag
  • 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Equipment

  • Large saucepan or Dutch oven
  • Measuring jug, cups and spoons
  • Silicone spatula or wooden spoon
  • 9 x 13-inch casserole dish
  • Cheese grater optional - if shredding your own cheese
  • Oven mitts
  • Serving spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
  2. Mix the filling directly in a large saucepan. Combine the cream of chicken soup, drained mixed vegetables, frozen onion, minced garlic, water, nonfat dry milk powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat the mixture over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly until smooth, warm, and well combined.
  4. Stir in the shredded chicken until it is completely coated in the creamy sauce.
  5. Transfer the mixture into your prepared 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
  6. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a neat, tight grid across the entire top of the chicken filling. This acts as your crunchy chicken pot pie substitute pie crust.
  7. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes until the tater tots turn a deep golden brown and the edges bubble.
  8. Top with cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly over the tots and bake until melted and slightly crisp.
  9. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
    Easy Pantry Chicken Pot Pie Tater Tot Casserole Recipe!

Notes

  • Drain the canned vegetables well.
  • Add the tater tots straight from frozen.
  • Use 1 cup cheddar or 2 cups for an extra cheesy topping.
  • Rotisserie, leftover, or canned chicken all work well.
  • For a one-pot version, make the filling in an oven-safe Dutch oven and bake in the same pot.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Tater Tots: Frozen potato croquettes (UK), frozen hash browns, or refrigerated biscuits. This acts as your crunchy chicken pot pie substitute pie crust!
  • Onion: 1 tbsp onion powder or finely chopped fresh yellow onion
  • Garlic: 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder or garlic flakes
  • Water + milk powder: 1/2 cup whole milk, half-and-half, or unsweetened plain plant milk
  • Mixed vegetables: 30 oz frozen mixed vegetables (no need to thaw), or leftover cooked vegetables of your choice
  • Chicken: Rotisserie chicken, leftover roast chicken, or 2 (12.5 oz) cans drained canned chicken
  • Cheese: Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a shredded cheddar blend
 

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 4 days.
  • Freeze up to 3 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat until piping hot.

Related Recipes

 

Nutrition

Calories: 631kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 27gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 2003mgPotassium: 919mgFiber: 10gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 7635IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 240mgIron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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