Imagine a dish that combines the crispy crunch of veggie tots, the creamy richness of melted cheese, and the hearty goodness of ground chicken and broccoli - all in one skillet! This mouthwatering Skillet Chicken Broccoli and Cheese Veggie Tot Pie is about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner that will have everyone at the table begging for seconds. Perfect for busy families, picky eaters, and anyone craving a delicious, quick meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 package frozen veggie tots
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Ensure a large cast-iron skillet or oven-safe skillet is ready for cooking.
- Heat olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Season with onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the ground chicken for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's fully browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add broccoli florets to the skillet with the chicken. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green and slightly tender.
- Pour milk into the skillet, stirring to combine with the chicken and broccoli. This will help create a creamy base for the pie.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken and broccoli mixture. Allow cheese to start melting.
- Arrange frozen veggie tots in a single layer on top of the chicken, broccoli, and cheese mixture, covering the entire surface.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the veggie tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and let the pie rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set and cool slightly.
- Serve hot directly from the skillet, ensuring each portion has chicken, broccoli, cheese, and crispy veggie tots.
Tips
- Choose a high-quality cast-iron or oven-safe skillet for the best heat distribution and crispy bottom.
- Make sure to drain excess fat after cooking the chicken to prevent a greasy dish.
- Cut broccoli florets into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
- For extra flavor, consider adding garlic powder or dried herbs to the chicken while cooking.
- Don't overcook the broccoli - you want it bright green and slightly tender, not mushy.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and richer flavor.
- Let the pie rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set and make serving easier.
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey instead of chicken.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella or pepper jack for variety.
- Serve with a side salad or quick vegetable slaw to complete the meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 95mg
