Last year, I asked my husband what he would like me to make him for dinner for his birthday. He replied, “Tater Tots.” At first I thought he was joking… Nope, he was serious.
My husband is a good sport and will try just about anything that I cook at least once. I rarely make pre-packaged, prepared food – frozen, canned, boxed, etc. So, it made me laugh that what he really wanted for his birthday was some of the “sub-par” food that I typically refuse to make. Since it was his birthday, I went to the store and bought a bag of tater tots for dinner. And, I must admit that we both enjoyed eating them!
Since then, I have felt somewhat guilty that my husband doesn’t get to eat some of the foods that he likes, so I have started keeping a few frozen items in my freezer. I still don’t make them regularly, but they have become a good substitute for going out to eat when I am too tired to cook. Many nights when I have late meetings at work I am not in the mood to make dinner when I get home. Before, we would end up going out to eat somewhere quick (dare I say fast food), but we wouldn’t really enjoy it. Now, I typically rely on my frozen “fast food” and whip up a sandwich or salad to go along with it.
Today was one of those days – so I made some buffalo chicken melts and made… yup, you guessed it… tater tots! To my defense, I only had a few (maybe 4) tater tots… I filled up on some plain Oikos yogurt with peaches, blueberries, and a drizzle of agave. My hubby enjoyed his tater tots, though. I think he might have liked the buffalo chicken melt, too… I think.
Buffalo Chicken Melts (I’ll let you figure out the tater tots on your own…)
- 1 – 12.5 ounce can chicken breast, drained
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 2 tablespoons plain Oikos yogurt
- 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 whole wheat rolls (I had whole wheat hot dog rolls, so that’s what I used)
- 2 slices cheddar cheese
In a medium bowl, break up the chicken breast with a fork. Add the remaining ingredients and toss to evenly combine. Assemble one slice of cheese on each roll and top with the chicken mixture.
Toast under the broiler for about 5 minutes, until the sandwich is heated through and the cheese is bubbly. I told you this was really easy!
I was thinking of tater tots today for some reason. Then you post this and now I have to have some tots. =) Those chicken melts look really good!!
Hahahaha, oh my gosh – this is exact response my husband would have given. He loves his tots!!
The chicken melts look yummy! I’ve been experimenting too much lately with new recipes, forgetting to make some of my husband’s favorites but made one of his favorite dishes last night; tonight back to experiments :)
That chicken melt looks awesome. I’ve made buffalo chicken dip before but never thought to try it in sandwich form. Great idea!
The chicken melt looks awesome. I am putting this in my arsenal for a go-to pantry staple meal!
I love tater tots…don’t have them often…I should fix that.
The chicken melts look so yummy!!! And tater tots are the perfect side! I have a craving for them now!
I’m not gonna lie I love me some tater tots. The outside gets all crispy and the warm potato center….yummy! Those chicken melts look really tasty too!
I love tater tots! I’ve been wanting to try making some from scratch. Last week at a BBQ was the first time I’d had them in years. Your chicken melts look amazing.
It doesn’t help that I’m browsing your food blog while I’m hungry. I can feel my mouth salivating. The chicken melt looks amazing, and accompanied with the tator tots – what a cute idea! Tator tots always bring back fond memories of my childhood =)
It would have been me asking for tater tots. I started to really appreciate those pre-packaged and frozen goodies after living in France for so many years. Occasionally, a good tater tot does no harm! Especially with a chicken melt! Yum!
Everytime I see tater tots, I can’t help but think of Napoleon Dynamite. LOL My kids love ’em.
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You can’t go wrong with a nice quick meal especially when it is delicious! I’m loving the buffalo chicken melt