Crockpot Crack Chicken
This easy Crockpot Crack Chicken requires just six ingredients and is always a hit at parties! This easy chicken recipe is loaded with ranch, bacon and cheese, making it perfect for salads, wraps, sandwiches and more!
This recipe is magical. You only need six basic ingredients you probably already have on hand and a slow cooker and you have a meal everyone will rave over! This chicken is referred to as “crack chicken” because it is so addicting. The combination of chicken, bacon, ranch and cheese is one that is truly hard to beat!
This is a great meal to take to a party. It can be enjoyed with chips, on wraps, sliders, salad and more! It is also a great weeknight dinner for your family. This recipe provides 8 servings so you should have plenty of leftovers!
Ingredients
As always, this is a quick overview of the ingredients you will need for this recipe. For the complete, printable recipe just keep scrolling. To make this easy slow cooker crack chicken recipe you will need:
- Chicken: I use boneless skinless chicken breast for this recipe, but boneless, skinless thighs will also work if you prefer a different cut of meat. You can even use chicken tenders if you prefer.
- Cream Cheese: you can technically use a reduced fat cream cheese in this dish, but I would recommend using full fat cream cheese. The reduced fat version just does not melt as smoothly. If you use the full fat cream cheese your dish will have a better texture.
- Ranch Seasoning: you will need a packet of Ranch seasoning mix or ranch dressing mix, not the liquid dressing. If you don’t have the packet, you can make homemade ranch seasoning!
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese has my vote, but your favorite variety will do.
- Bacon: crispy, crunchy freshly cooked bacon. Skip the prepackaged bacon and use real bacon bits for the best flavor.
- Green Onions: this adds the perfect zip to this recipe!
Note: I only recommending adding salt and pepper to taste at the end if needed. This recipe has several salty ingredients, and the ranch mixture gives the perfect amount of seasoning for us!
How do you make Crockpot Crack Chicken?
In addition to the ingredients listed above you will need a slow cooker. For this recipe I find a 4 quart slow cooker works perfectly! Follow along below to see the exact step by step process for this recipe.
Add Chicken to Crockpot
Spray the bottom of a 4-6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the chicken directly to the crock pot. You do not need to cut or brown the chicken before hand. Easy peasy!
P.S. – If your crock pot cooks a little too hot or you might have to leave this dish on super long, consider adding a quarter cup of chicken broth. I have not experienced dry chicken in this recipe, but some readers have reported their crockpots have cooked quicker and led to chicken that feels a little dry.
Add Cream Cheese and Ranch
Sprinkle the Ranch seasoning directly on the chicken. Add the blocks of cream cheese to the slow cooker. There is no need to soften the cream cheese or do any prep work. This is a true dump and go meal! Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low up to 8 hours or on high 3-4 hours. The chicken is done when it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Shred the Chicken
When the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Alternatively, you can just shred it right in the slow cooker and toss the chicken in the creamy ranch sauce. Then stir.
Add Cheese and Bacon
After you have tossed the shredded chicken in the creamy ranch sauce top with shredded cheddar (or your preferred cheese), crispy bacon and green onions! Place the lid back on the slow cooker for a few minutes to give the cheese a chance to melt.
Serve
You can serve this creamy chicken right from the slow cooker, perhaps garnished with some chives or fresh parsley. It’s great over a salad, as tacos or lettuce wraps, even as sandwiches on hamburger buns! If you are low carb you can make an amazing keto-friendly pressed sandwich by adding the Crack Chicken to chaffle buns and placing in a sandwich press! This happens to be our favorite way to enjoy this meal!
You could serve this with rice, pasta, or crispy potatoes for an easy dinner. If you are looking for more of a creamy crack dip with chicken, you could consider using half the amount of chicken. This would be amazing with chips, crackers, and vegetables like carrots and celery!
Recipe FAQ
The combination of chicken, bacon, ranch and cheese is often referred to as “crack chicken” because of its addictive nature.
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten free, low-carb, and keto-friendly. All nutritional information is listed below the recipe.
You can store this recipe in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. You can freeze this (store in freezer bags, pressing as much air out as possible), but the creamy cheese chicken mixture can sometimes separate if thawed too quickly. To avoid this, thaw overnight in the fridge, then stir frequently while reheating in the microwave, on a pot on the stove, or in a slow cooker. Bacon will not be as crispy, but you’ll still get that delicious flavor!
Chicken breasts are a leaner cut of chicken. Boneless skinless chicken thighs have a higher fat content and will be slightly more moist. For this recipe, we prefer the leaner chicken breasts. Considering the additional ingredients used in this recipe, there is no sacrifice of flavor or moisture level.
Other Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken: the perfect all purpose chicken recipe. Great for sandwiches, salads, soups, and more.
- Crockpot Chicken Tacos: seriously the best chicken taco recipe that is insanely easy to make!
- Creamy Ranch Chicken: a hearty chicken recipe that is great on salads and wraps.
- Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili: a family favorite that is so easy to make and feeds a crowd!
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken: super easy meal prep recipe perfect with baked potatoes, lettuce wraps, and more!
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Crack Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast, or chicken thighs
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
- 1 1-ounce packet Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning, or homemade ranch seasoning
- 1 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup green onions
Equipment
Instructions
- Spray a 4 quart slow cooker with cooking oil. Add the chicken, top with the ranch seasoning and cream cheese. Cook on low up to 8 hours, or 3-4 hours on high. The chicken is done when it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Shred the chicken right in the slow cooker, mixing the ranch and cream cheese in with the chicken.
- Top with shredded cheese, cooked bacon and chopped green onions.
Really good. All the crew at our house liked it. Served with fruit for dessert. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Keep them coming!