If nachos and ‘tater tots’ had a baby…..Green Chile Chicken Totchos are the best of both foods rolled into one mouthwatering, spicy, filling plate of Southwestern-flavored comfort food. Serve with football watching or on their own!
This delicious recipe was orignally post on BoulderLocavore.com in 2016 and has been updated in 2018!
Football play-off season is synonymous with indulgent comfort food (even though it falls in the middle of everyone’s healthy New Year’s resolutions) and Totchos are some of the best! Have you heard of them? In case you are staring at the name and afraid to try to say it: Tot-chos. Think tater tots meet nachos. It’s quintessential Friday-night, football food, comfort food, and Mexican food all rolled into one tasty recipe.
When I first told my family I was making them, they thought I was kidding. There is no joking around about this depth of savory goodness for me and I was stunned by their responses. I made it clear this was no laughing matter but rather potentially the best indulgent, messy, delicious dish they’d had in a long time, my kids were grossed out. Say, what? Kids who love tater tots and nachos and this did not sound like a dream come true? I wondered whose family I was really speaking to.
This momentary lapse in their culinary sensibilities was history as soon as they tasted the heaping plate of died-and-gone-to-heaven Green Chile Chicken Totchos. A layer of crispy tater tots loaded with a creamy, green chile shredded chicken and topped with pico de gallo. I love the flavors of the southwest and would happily eat the shredded chicken alone by the forkfuls.
How to make Green Chile Chicken Totchos – Step by Step:
‘Tater Tot’ type potatoes are prepared as instructed on the package to become golden and crisp on the outside. Meanwhile a taco-seasoning sauce is cooked in a large skillet. Shredded chicken is added to soak up the flavors, followed by green chilies and sour cream.
When the potatoes are finished cooking, they are plated (on a communal platter or individual plates) and the chicken is piled on with some fresh pico de gallo. Serve immediately to keep everything warm and the potatoes crisp.
How to Eat Green Chile Chicken Totchos
If you’ve never eaten totchos before, you may be scrolling past these photos wondering how to eat them. With a fork. Unlike nachos which can leverage chips for scooping, totchos are definitely something to take a helping of and eat with a fork from your own plate.
To add chesse to the Totchos or not?
I never thought I’d say no to cheese but when I’ve made this recipe it gets a thumbs up as written. My vote is make them and if you feel like adding some shredded cheese, go for it. I’d add the cheese over the chicken and pop them in the broiled to melt the cheese then add the pico de gallo.
Green Chile Chicken Totchos
Totchos are tater tot nachos. A simple, creamy green chile shredded chicken pairs wonderfully with the potatoes with the crowning glory being pico de gallo. It's fantastic comfort food and simple to make.
Ingredients
- 2 16-ounce packages frozen ‘Tater Tot’ type potatoes
- 4 cups shredded Chicken Breast (homemade or from a store rotisserie chicken)
- 1 packet Taco Seasoning (gluten-free if on a gluten-free diet)
- 1 cup Low Sodium Chicken Stock/Broth
- 1 4-ounce can Mild Green Chilies
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- Pico de Gallo (also known as Salsa Fresca)
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes per the package directions.
- While the potatoes are cooking, combine the taco seasoning packet and the chicken broth in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and lower the heat to medium-low bringing the liquid to a simmer.
- Add the shredded chicken to the skillet, stir to coat with the sauce and allow it to simmer, stirring periodically, until the liquid has been absorbed by the chicken; 5-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the green chilies and sour cream.
- When the potatoes are done, either leave them on the baking sheet for serving or move them to a serving platter (or individual portions on plates). Top with the green chile chicken followed by some pico de gallo. Serve immediately.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Tatchos sound amazing! You can’t beat tots topped with cheese and all manner of deliciousness.
Marcie W. says
How have I never had totchos before?! Considering this recipe involves some of my favorite foods, I look forward to trying it soon.
Toni Dash says
I only learned of the idea recently Marcie! So many options for them!
Liz says
Love this recipe. Thank you and have a good weekend!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Liz! You as well.
Beeb Ashcroft says
This is brilliant! These are two of my husband’s favorite things combined! HA! I’m going to make these for dinner tomorrow and can’t wait to see his response to this odd new recipe 😛
Pam says
Two of my favorite things combined too. Tots and nachos are a genius combination.
Brandy says
This looks like a great recipe to try! I have not had anything with green chile in it before, so I am up for trying something new!
Crystal says
I just learned about Totchos recently. These look so good!!!
Toni Dash says
What a genius idea they are, right?
Ann Bacciaglia says
This is a recipe my kids are going to love. I will have to try making it for dinner this week. It looks so delicious and easy to make.
Toni Dash says
I promise it is! I love the easiness factor myself!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This sounds like an interesting concept.
…and a tasty dish to boot!
Debbie Denny says
Cool. I have had tots with cheese but this is a great idea. Very good and tasty.
Colleen Cayes says
The name is fun to say, and they look delicious to eat. I think this dish would be an equally wonderful treat with a video after a long day outside in the summer sun or to spice up brunch with good friends. Yum!
Shannon Gurnee says
That looks and sounds like a really yummy recipe! I’ll have to try making that some time!
Green Chili says
Nothing like a good bowl of Chili / Chile! If your eating the best bowl of chile your taste buds have ever experienced it’s most likely made with the world famous Hatch Green Chile / Chili or the Pueblo Colorado Mosco, originating from the Mirasol Chile. Mosco originated from the Mirasol Chile/Chili. Green Chile / Chili Peppers, Mosco Chile / Chili has a great flavor and heat consist of a medium to hot Chileal.
Colleen says
OMG, tatchos sound AMAZING! I’m a huge tots fan, and this combination is the best thing ever.
robin rue says
Ok, these are awesome. My family is going to Loooooove them!
Randi says
My family loves totchos! Those look so good … and I love the idea of a green chile flavor!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
We love tots this way. It’s a great way to turn them into a whole meal. I love the green chile version you’ve made.
Toni Dash says
Yes! Just as nachos can be a main dish, adding the protein with the chicken to these tots, its a filling, satisfying main dish option.
Jeanette says
Looks good enough to eat LOL. No seriously though I think I will make this for my Super Bowl party I have coming this Sunday. It looks really good
Melissa Chapman says
I love tater tots and nachos but never thought to try them together in one dish. I still have 5 days before the big game to test this out and serve it for the party.
Toni Dash says
Go, Girl, Go!!
Kelly Hutchinson says
What a unique recipe! I have never seen nachos on top of tater tots. My kids would love this recipe!
Tania says
Totchos are my husband’s favorite food! I’m happy to have another variation for him!
Pam says
Totchos are the best. Whoever came up with the idea of combining nachos with tater tots was an actual genius.
Toni Dash says
I completely agree!
ashley says
This looks epic!
AnnMarie John says
I’ve never tried using tater tots for nachos before but I think it’s an awesome idea. I can imagine how tasty this is going to be! It’s a dish my boys will adore.
Dawn Lopez says
I love an easy to cook tasty meal! This definitely looks like something I could whip up for a last minute party! My family always enjoys Mexican food.
brianne says
My mouth is watering. What a great idea for Super bowl! I’m so making this!
Claudia Krusch says
Your recipe looks sooooo amazing! I can’t wait to make it this weekend!
Sinisa says
This looks amazing. Very interesting recipe
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
Talk about the perfect game day recipe that will make everyone happy! I think this is very much worth a try. Packed with all the right flavors!
Megan says
Love some totchos! I never thought I’d say no cheese needed but these look amazing as is!
Carolyn says
This looks delicious!
Richa Gupta says
My goodness, this looks yummy and healthy!