Chicken Tots

These chicken tots have a poutine vibe, and, while being much easier and faster to make than real poutine, satisfies in the same way. Saucy meat over potatoes is always a winner, but this creamy chicken sauce over tots will be your new favorite thing the minute you try it.

Preparation Details

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• vegetable oil cooking spray
• 1 (1 pound) bag frozen tater tots
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1 cup diced sweet bell pepper
• 1/4 cup diced jalapeno pepper
• 3 cloves garlic. minced
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1/2 lemon , juiced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with foil, and spray with cooking spray.
2. Place tater tots on the prepared sheet pan, and spray tots lightly with vegetable oil.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until nicely browned on the bottoms and edges, about 30 minutes. Keep warm in the oven until needed.
4. Meanwhile, for chicken, season chicken thighs on both sides with salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat, and cook chicken just until no longer pink at the center, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove to a plate to cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, cut chicken into 1/2-inch pieces.
5. Add onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno peppers to the skillet, and sauté over medium-high heat until edges start to brown and onions turn translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add sliced green onions and lemon zest, and toss to combine.
6. Add lemon juice, chicken broth, and any accumulated juices from the plate, and cook, stirring, until liquids reduce by about half, about 5 minutes.
7. Add cream, and bring back to a simmer. Stir in chicken, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until chicken is heated through and cream sauce thickens to desired texture, about 5 minutes more.
8. Turn off heat and stir in cheese. Serve over hot tots.