If you love chicken pot pie but don't want to fuss with a pie crust, this chicken tater tot casserole is perfect for you. It's a crustless chicken pot pie with a delicious creamy sauce, tender chicken, vegetables and crispy tater tots on top, just like a classic tater tot hotdish.
It takes less than an hour to make so it's great easy weeknight dinner that your whole family will love!
For more tater tot goodness, check out my family's favorite Mexican tater tot casserole or this delicious tater tot breakfast casserole.
Ingredient Notes
This easy chicken casserole uses simple ingredients that can be found in any grocery store. It is made without cream of chicken soup, so it is both gluten free and dairy free as written.
- Gluten Free Flour Blend - I use Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Flour for my recipes. The amount of flour in this recipe is small and can easily be replaced with your favorite brand. If you're not gluten free, use all-purpose flour in the same measure.
- Chicken Broth - If you're following a gluten free diet, make sure you're using gluten free chicken broth. This is an ingredient that frequently has hidden gluten. Pacific Foods is my favorite gluten free brand.
- Non-Dairy Milk - I use unsweetened coconut milk (the kind in the carton) for my cooking. You can use your favorite plant based milk, just make sure it is unflavored and unsweetened. If you're not dairy free, regular milk will work in the same measure.
- Cooked Chicken - Cut or shred your cooked chicken into bite sized pieces. You can use leftover chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or cook chicken from scratch. I have used both chicken breast and chicken thighs when making this recipe, both turn out great.
- Tater Tots - Ore Ida brand makes gluten free tater tots. I prefer the mini tater tots because they get a little crispier when baked. Full size will work fine too. This recipe will use about 12 ounces, so half a full bag of tater tots.
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredient list with measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- Not Dairy Free - use dairy milk in the same measure.
- Make it Vegetarian - Use heated vegetarian chicken pieces (I like Qorn brand) and vegetable broth in place of the chicken products.
- No GF flour - Use any starch (cornstarch, arrowroot or tapioca starch) in place of flour. You will only need 3 tablespoons - half the amount in the recipe.
- Not Gluten Free - Use all purpose flour in place of the gluten free flour. The measurement is the same.
- Vegetable Switch - Feel free to use your favorite vegetables here. If you don't like peas, replace them with green beans or leave them out. You can also skip the fresh carrots and use frozen mixed vegetables instead. I'm all about easy shortcuts!
How to Make a Chicken Pot Pie Tater Tot Casserole
I always make this chicken tater tot casserole recipe in my cast iron skillet because it can go from the stove top directly into the oven - yay for less clean up! If you prefer to use a casserole dish, simply transfer the filling to your prepared baking dish before adding the tater tops on top.
STEP 1: Saute the carrots and onions in olive oil for about 10 minutes.
STEP 2: Add the flour, salt, pepper, fried thyme, and garlic powder to the pan. Stir to coat the vegetables.
STEP 3: Pour in the chicken broth and milk.
STEP 4: Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens like gravy.
STEP 5: Add the chicken and peas. If you're using other frozen vegetables add them now. Stir together.
STEP 6: Top with a single layer of tater tots and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake!
Storage
Place any leftover chicken casserole into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
Can You Freeze Tater Tot Pot Pie?
Yes, it turns out great. I have made this ahead of time several times and frozen it. You'll want to make the filling and top with tater tots but freeze before baking. Prepare your pot pie in a disposable pie dish for ease. Wrap in several layers of plastic wrap and then wrap in foil and freeze completely. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake until warmed through. This pot pie will stay good for 2-3 months in the freezer. You could also freeze this in individual portions for meal prep.
I do find it sometimes takes longer to bake after being frozen, so just check the center to make sure it is hot. If the tots begin to get too brown, layer a piece of aluminum foil lightly over the top until it's done baking.
Expert Tip
I usually make this and freeze it when we are planning travel and will have a kitchen. It's easy to pop in the oven and saves me from having to cook a full dinner on vacation.
Are Tater Tots gluten free?
I always buy Ore-Ida brand tater tots and they are marked gluten free on the front of the package. If you're using another brand, you will need to check the ingredients.
More gluten free casseroles to try:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ Cup Yellow Onion diced
- 1 Cup Carrots cut into ¼" slices
- 6 Tablespoon Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend I use Bob's Red Mill
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Thyme
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Cup Gluten Free Chicken Broth
- ¾ Cup Non-Dairy Milk
- 1 Cup Frozen Green Peas
- 1 pound Chicken cooked and cut into bite sized pieces
- 12 ounces Tater Tots about ½ bag
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F degrees.
- Add the oil to a cast iron skillet over medium heat.2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- Once the oil is warmed, add the onions and carrots. Cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.½ Cup Yellow Onion, 1 Cup Carrots
- Add the flour, salt, pepper, thyme and garlic powder. Stir to coat the vegetables. Cook for 2 minutes.6 Tablespoon Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper, ½ teaspoon Thyme, ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Add the milk and chicken broth. Stir to dissolve the flour. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes until it thickens like gravy.1 Cup Gluten Free Chicken Broth, ¾ Cup Non-Dairy Milk
- Remove from heat. Add the chicken and frozen peas. Stir together.1 Cup Frozen Green Peas, 1 pound Chicken
- Top with tater tots and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.12 ounces Tater Tots
- Bake for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
Kathy says
I can't eat peas - what would be your first recommendation for a replacement?
You can just omit the peas.
Ric says
Think cassava flour is an okay replacement for the Bob's 1 to 1?
I haven't ever used cassava flour, so I'm not sure. But I think it will probably work fine. Alternatively, if you wanted to use something like cornstarch or tapioca starch you could. If you use a starch instead, just cut the measurement by half.
Beatrice says
Can’t wait to try this! Will canned coconut milk work as well or will that change the flavor?
I think canned coconut milk might give you a bit of a coconut flavor to the sauce, although it would be nice and creamy. You could try half coconut milk and half water maybe.
Kathy says
You might also try soaking some cashews in water, rinse and then blend with more water in place of the coconut milk. I would be super creamy and not pick up the coconut flavor which I like.