Blackened Chicken Tot Pie

cream of chicken soup

🥗Healthier: homemade cream sauce

💰Cheaper: cream of mushroom soup

Cream of mushroom is often less expensive and can be used in a similar way.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: colby jack cheese

Colby jack is often cheaper and melts well.

chicken breast

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground chicken is typically less expensive and cooks quickly.

blackening seasoning

🥗Healthier: homemade spice blend

💰Cheaper: cajun seasoning

Cajun seasoning is often cheaper and provides a similar flavor.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.

Cook the tater tots in the air fryer for about 15 minutes until mostly cooked through.

Butterfly the chicken breasts.

Prepare a homemade blackening seasoning with 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon sweet paprika, 1.5 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 heaping teaspoon black pepper, 1 heaping teaspoon oregano, 1 heaping teaspoon dried thyme, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1.5 to 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper.

Heat a cast iron skillet with a little avocado oil and ghee.

Dredge the chicken in the blackening seasoning or sprinkle it on top.

Cook the chicken in the skillet until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 5-7 minutes per side.

Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it cool for a few minutes before chopping it up.

In a separate pot, heat olive oil and add chopped bell pepper and onion, seasoning with celery salt and salt to sweat them down.

Add a splash of chicken broth to the vegetables to help them steam for a couple of minutes.

Combine the chopped chicken, bell pepper, onion, cream of chicken soup, sour cream (about 1.5 cups), and some bacon bits in a bowl.

Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and press it down.

Layer the tater tots on top of the mixture, adding some raw ones if necessary.

Bake in the oven at 350°F for about 40 minutes.

Remove from the oven and top with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese and more bacon bits.

Return to the oven for a few minutes to let the cheese melt.

Let the dish cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens