Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole is a family favorite casserole that is made with bacon, chicken, cheese and ranch seasonings and tater tots.  This casserole is so simple to make, it's a great weeknight dinner.

My favorite thing about this casserole is the bacon. It has tons of crispy, delicious bacon throughout!

This recipe combines all of my favorite things: Ranch, Bacon and Chicken. The chicken is slow cooked with ranch seasoning, then shredded and mixed with cheese and crispy bacon bits before it's piled into a baking dish along with even more cheese and bacon bits.

Crushed up tater tots cover the entire dish, then it is baked until hot and bubbling all over!

History of Tater Tot Casserole

Tater Tot Casserole dates back to when budget minded farm wives had to feed their families on a very small budget. This dish was a great way to stretch their budgets by adding potatoes, and vegetables to reduce the amount of meat that the meal needed.

Back in the original days of making this hotdish recipe, instead of tater tots regular diced potatoes were used. Also, it was most likely that wild game would be used instead of ground beef or chicken that we now use in this family friendly casserole.

Slowly over the course of time this dish has evolved into the dish that has become a favorite of many. Now instead of using regular diced potatoes, we like to use tater tots, and there have been so many different varieties and flavor combinations that have popped up including this Slow Cooker Tater Tot Ranch Chicken Casserole.

I think the slow cooker tater tot casseroles have become my favorite though.

Who doesn't love an easy meal that doesn't take long to make, and you can essentially set and forget it. By the time you are done with your daily activities, or have finished up that last load of laundry, or dealt with those dreaded dishes that have piled up over the course of the day, then just take a look through the glass lid and see how beautifully this meal has come together.

What is Slow Cooker Tater Tot Ranch Chicken Casserole

Tater Tot Casserole is a casserole made with tater tots and cheese. It's considered a comfort food in the United States. Tater tots, cheese and bacon are used in this version.

This casserole can be made as a simple weeknight meal that tastes like your childhood favorite comfort food. It's cheesy and gooey and has tons of crispy bacon throughout!

Why is tater tot casserole sometimes call Hotdish

Using the name hotdish can be a regional aspect. It's sometimes called Hotdish because it can be made in one dish. Some of the ingredients are layered together and baked until the cheese is all melted and everything is hot and bubbling.

Is there a difference between Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole and regular tater tot casserole

Yes, there are a few differences. For example, this recipe calls for chicken breast that is slow cooked with ranch seasoning. Then the chicken is shredded and combined with tons of cheese, crispy bacon bits and finally piled into a baking dish with more cheese and bacon bits on top.

A typical tater tot casserole has ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and sour in it. This recipe is just a different take on a delicious casserole for your family.

What size slow cooker do I need to make this Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

You can use a 6 quart slow cooker for this casserole recipe. This casserole is easy to make.

Can I freeze this chicken tater tot casserole

Yes, this casserole can be frozen after assembling it. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 45 minutes or until hot.

It will be hard to put this casserole in the slow cooker once it's frozen, so I recommend freezing it in a 9x13 baking pan, and then baking in the oven if you freeze your casserole.

How do I reheat slow cooker tater tot casserole

If you have leftovers, reheat the casserole in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until heated through. Try not to microwave it as the tater tots will become soggy.

If you don't mind the soggy texture of your tater tots then feel free to reheat in the microwave. I love the fresh taste of reheating in the oven.

Can I make tater tot casserole with cream cheese ahead

Yes, you can make this casserole ahead. One of the great things about slow cooker recipes is that it's really easy to prepare them in advance. You can assemble everything into the slow cooker liner, cover the liner and then cook later on when you are ready to eat.

What goes with tater tot casserole

I have found that when I am serving this casserole that it is great served with fresh vegetables. My favorite side dishes for this casserole are corn, green beans or a simple salad.

Is tater tot chicken casserole healthy

That depends on what you put inside the dish. You can make this slow cooker tater tot chicken casserole recipe more healthy by using low sodium cream of chicken soup, lean ground beef, reduced fat cheese and turkey bacon bits. 

What kind of meats can I use in tater tot casserole

You can make this casserole with ground turkey or sausage instead of the chicken. For a vegetarian version, simply omit the meat.  

Can I use bacon bits instead of cooked bacon

Yes, you can omit the bacon and replace it with 2 tablespoons of bacon bits. It will give your casserole a bit of a smoky flavor without the crispiness of the bacon.

What could I use in place of the cream cheese

If you are looking for a substitute for the cream cheese, feel free to use sour cream. You can add plain Greek yogurt or quark in place of it as well. You could also use cream of chicken soup instead of cream cheese.

Can I use a different type of cheese

Yes, you can use your favorite type of shredded cheese. I recommend using mozzarella or cheddar cheeses, but Swiss will also work well. I've also used Colby jack, even the Mexican for four blends.

Can I use other vegetables in tater tot casserole

Sure, you can add almost any vegetable to this casserole. Some vegetables that would be great in this recipe are peas, corn, carrots or even sliced mushrooms. If you are planning to use canned vegetables, be sure to drain them first. Otherwise the juices from the can will water down your tater tot casserole with cream cheese.

What could I garnish this dish with

• chives
• green onions
• cooked chopped bacon
• shredded cheese

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
• (1) 10z Ranch Dressing seasoning packet
• (1) 8oz block of cream cheese
• 6 strips cooked bacon, chopped
• 1 fresh jalapeno, chopped
• (1) 32oz bag of frozen tater tots
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup scallions, chopped

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

Grease the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

Then, place the whole chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Next you want to top with ranch seasoning, cream cheese, bacon and jalapenos.

Cook on high for 3 hours.

When cooking time is complete, shred the chicken using a meat shredder or fork.

Top with tater tots, cheese and scallions. Cook for an additional hour.

When cooking time is complete, scoop the dish out with a large serving spoon and serve immediately.

Notes:

• This dish is incredibly easy and such a crowd pleaser!
• If you aren’t a fan of hot or spicy, feel free to omit the fresh jalapenos

Chicken Tater Tot casserole is simple and easy to make, this easy dinner idea is a family favorite. Perfect for busy weeknights and kids love it! I hope that your family loves this dish as much as my family does. If you make this tasty slow cooker tater tot casserole recipe be sure to come back and leave me a comment and let me know what your family thought about this delicious meal.

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