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Craving Comfort: From Big E's Chicken Tot Pie to My Kitchen Counter
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Craving Comfort: From Big E's Chicken Tot Pie to My Kitchen Counter |
Transforming a Fairground Favorite into a Home-Cooked Delight |

Rob Stonefield
Sep 22, 2025
The Eastern States Exposition, affectionately known as The Big E, is a cherished New England tradition that brings together the region's rich culture and culinary innovations.
Among the myriad of indulgent offerings, one dish stood out: the Chicken Tot Pie.
Imagine a personal-sized pie, its crust ingeniously replaced with crispy tater tots, enveloping a creamy filling of tender shredded chicken, peas, carrots, and savory gravy.
Each bite was a harmonious blend of nostalgia and novelty—comfort food reimagined.
Back home, the craving for that unique flavor lingered.
Determined to recreate the magic, I turned to a recipe inspired by Ree Drummond's Chicken Tot Pie.
Opting for leftover rotisserie chicken, I enhanced the vegetable medley with corn for added sweetness and baked the concoction in a cast-iron skillet to achieve a rustic charm.
The result? A dish that captured the essence of the fair's offering.
The tater tots baked to golden perfection at 400°F for 25 minutes, while the filling bubbled into a savory delight.
Serving four, it was met with enthusiastic approval from my family, who eagerly requested seconds.
For those planning to attend The Big E next year, the Chicken Tot Pie is a must-try.
Until then, bringing this dish to your own kitchen is a delightful way to savor a piece of the fair at home. |