Name: Salsa Verde Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups chopped cooked chicken; 3 Tbsp butter; 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup sour cream; 1 (4-oz) can diced green chilies; 1½ tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, divided; 1 (32-oz) bag frozen tater tots

Description

This comforting Salsa Verde Chicken Tater Tot Casserole combines tender cooked chicken with a creamy, flavorful sauce made from chicken broth, sour cream, and diced green chilies. Tater tots add a crispy texture on top, while melted pepper jack cheese delivers a spicy, cheesy finish. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Sauce

3 cups chopped cooked chicken
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
1 (4-oz) can diced green chilies
1½ tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Casserole

2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, divided
1 (32-oz) bag frozen tater tots

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually add chicken broth while whisking continuously until the sauce is smooth. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly, then remove it from heat and stir in sour cream, diced green chilies, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Combine Casserole Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the chopped cooked chicken, frozen tater tots, 1½ cups of shredded pepper jack cheese, and the prepared sauce. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Assemble Casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded pepper jack cheese over the top.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbly and cooked through.

Notes

Use cooked chicken from a rotisserie or leftover chicken for convenience.
Feel free to substitute pepper jack cheese with Monterey Jack or cheddar for a milder flavor.
Make sure the sauce thickens before adding sour cream to avoid separation.
For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking for easier serving.