Thai Chicken Totchos combine bold Thai flavors with crispy tater tots for an irresistible comfort-food mashup. Golden tots piled with savory Thai-style chicken and melted cheese make a perfect snack or game-day meal.
Totchos—also known as tater tot nachos—are an easy, crowd-pleasing comfort food. They’re best served hot with friends during the big game or a relaxed night in. Over the years I’ve enjoyed many totcho variations, including chicken shawarma, sweet potato, and roasted Brussels sprouts, but this Thai Chicken version is a standout.
What’s in these Thai Chicken Totchos?
These totchos rely on two essentials: a crispy base (tater tots) and plenty of melty cheese. The Thai-inspired toppings add bold flavor without a long ingredient list. You’ll need:
- Chicken thighs
- Chili garlic sauce
- Grated ginger
- Red Thai curry paste
- Tater tots
- Shredded mozzarella
- Green onions (scallions)
Simple and flavorful.
Tips for making Thai Chicken Totchos
1) Cook your tater tots properly. Either par-bake or fully bake the tots for 10–15 minutes before adding toppings to avoid soggy tots.
2) Marinate the chicken if possible. Letting the chicken sit in the Thai paste mixture for at least 30 minutes boosts flavor before sautéing.
3) Tater tot options. Any store-bought brand works, or make homemade tots for a fresher option. Cauliflower tots are a good swap for a vegetable-forward or gluten-free choice.
Make-ahead and reheating
You can prepare the Thai chicken in advance and assemble the totchos just before baking. To reheat, place totchos on a baking sheet and briefly broil or bake until heated through and the cheese is melted—avoid the microwave to prevent sogginess.
Gluten-free options
Yes—you can make these gluten-free. Many tater tot varieties are naturally gluten-free, and cauliflower tots provide a tasty alternative for those avoiding gluten.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out.
More totcho ideas
- Loaded Chicken Shawarma Totchos
- Ultimate Sweet Potato Totchos with Chipotle Aioli
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts Totchos with Lemon Aioli
Thai Chicken Totchos
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 bags frozen tater tots
- 2 tbsp red curry paste
- 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 2 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- chopped scallions, for garnish
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange tater tots on a baking sheet and bake according to package directions until golden and crisp.
- While the tots bake, combine red curry paste, chili garlic sauce, grated ginger, grated garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and the cubed chicken in a large bowl. Toss to coat and let sit briefly if time allows.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sauté the chicken until cooked through and no longer pink. Remove chicken with a slotted spoon, leaving any excess liquid behind.
- When the tots are done, let them cool slightly. Transfer half the tots to a separate plate so you can layer on the baking sheet.
- Layer half the cooked tater tots on the baking sheet, top with half the Thai chicken and about 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Repeat with the remaining tots, chicken, and cheese.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven for 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove and garnish with chopped scallions before serving.
