Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. It's crucial to ensure your oven is ready for baking the Chicken Pot Pie. Proper preheating allows the pot pie to cook evenly and develop that golden crust.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Watch it closely as it melts, ensuring it doesn't brown. Once melted, add the diced onions and sauté until they become translucent, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the flour, salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly to mix them well with the onions, cooking until the mixture begins to brown slightly, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. This step builds a rich flavor base.
- Slowly add the chicken broth and whole milk into the flour mixture. Be sure to stir or whisk as you pour, adding a little at a time to achieve a smooth consistency. You want to avoid lumps!
- Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent the milk from burning. Keep an eye on the mixture; it should start to bubble and thicken slightly, which will take about 5 minutes. Once it thickens, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Stir in the cream cheese, frozen vegetables, and diced chicken. Mix everything thoroughly until combined. The cream cheese adds a creamy texture that melds beautifully with the filling.
- Spread the mixture evenly into a 9×13 baking dish. Make sure it's evenly distributed to ensure every bite is filled with that delicious filling.
- Spread the tater tots evenly over the top of the filling. This is where the fun begins! Try to cover the entire surface for a crispy topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbly. This is when your kitchen will fill with mouthwatering scents!
- Finally, top with Cheddar cheese and return to the oven for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted. This final touch creates a gooey, cheesy layer that is simply irresistible.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of your Chicken Pot Pie. Gather around the table with family and friends for a delightful meal.
Notes
For best results, make sure the tater tots are spread evenly in a single layer on top.
As an alternative, you could make this in a cast-iron skillet instead of the 9×13 baking dish.
The cream cheese is optional. It provides a little extra creaminess, but the filling is rich and thick enough to set without the cream cheese.
