This slow cooker crack chicken is totally addictive. Absolutely creamy and cheesy shredded chicken with bacon and ranch that's perfect for sandwiches, dips, potlucks, and more. Whether you're feeding your family or a crowd, this crockpot chicken is super easy and satisfying.
Serve over a bed of steamed rice, a baked potato, mashed potatoes, or on a hamburger bun or toasted brioche buns.
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Everyone has their go-to quick and/or easy recipes and this is one of my daughter's favorites! Lauren had quite a few great choices to pick from last weekend, and ended up requesting this tasty crack chicken for dinner. That's no surprise to me as these sandwiches were thoroughly enjoyed by all.
I usually stick with the serving size version of this recipe as posted below for my family. It's also super easy to scale the recipe up for serving to a crowd or taking with you to potlucks and gatherings.
Once this chicken starts cooking up in your crockpot, you'll realize the addictive nature and why it's called 'crack chicken' as the aroma is so mouth-watering.
The flavorful combination of chicken, bacon, ranch, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese is all sorts of creamy, cheesy goodness. No wonder it's incredibly difficult to be patient with that fantastic smell in the house.
🥘 Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts - Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- Cream Cheese - One 8 ounce package.
- Ranch Dressing Mix - One-ounce packet of ranch dressing or dip, both will work.
- Cheddar Cheese
- Bacon - Diced and cooked.
- Salt & Pepper - To taste.
- Green Onions - Or chives.
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
🔪 How To Make Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
- Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs in your slow cooker.
- Add one 8 ounce package of cream cheese and the packet of ranch dressing mix.
- Turn the slow cooker on to low heat for 6 - 7 hours, and do not open the lid once it has started.
- Once the chicken is cooked, use forks to shred the chicken directly in your slow cooker.
- Stir the shredded chicken into the cream cheese and ranch sauce.
- Top the shredded chicken with grated cheddar cheese and the cooked, cut bacon. Place the cover back onto your slow cooker and let the cheese melt for about 10 minutes.
- Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
- Top with chopped green onions or chives when serving (optional).
Other serving options are: as a dip with chips, crackers, or bread chunks, on leaf lettuce or cabbage leaves for keto, as a wrap in a flour tortilla, or as an open-faced sandwich.
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💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- The recipe can be cooked on high heat for about 4 - 6 hours, which is what I usually opt for.
- I love to add some of the bacon grease to my crack chicken. I know it's super fatty, but it's also super tasty.
- The crack chicken is salty enough, but I do stir in some freshly ground pepper before serving.
🥪 Other Great Sandwiches
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📖 Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts (boneless, skinless chicken breasts - or thighs)
- 8 oz cream cheese (one 8 ounce package)
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix (one-ounce packet of ranch dressing or dip, both will work)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 4 strips bacon (diced, cooked)
- each, salt & pepper (to taste)
- green onions or chives (chopped, optional)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in your slow cooker. Add 1 package of cream cheese and the ranch dressing mix.
- Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours, or on low for 6-7 hours. Leave the slow cooker cover on and in place until the chicken is done cooking.
- Once done, use forks to shred the chicken in the slow cooker pot, then stir the chicken into the cream cheese sauce. Top with grated cheese and the cooked bacon. Cover and allow the cheese to melt for an additional 10 minutes.
- Taste and add salt and pepper, if desired. Top with chopped green onions or chives when serving (optional).
Diane Gilman says
Going to make this this weekend x4 for a scrapbooking retreat. Praying it turns out well as would not want 23 ladies not happy with dinner. Will serve with white rice and salad bar. If doing such a large batch any time change needed?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
It will a) depend on what you can fit into your slow cooker. But also b) I have never 4x this recipe so would allow at least an extra hour for stirring as needed to keep things cooking evenly. The more full the crockpot is, the longer the cook time will be. Hope that helps!
Roger says
What kind of crackers would be good to dip in this?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
I like club crackers, but any buttery one like Ritz would be good. Veggies are terrific as well!
Anonymous says
Thanks so very much. Going to make some tomorrow for a crock pot luck party.
Donna says
Made the recipe as shown except I did not put in the bacon. My husband does not care for bacon and , instead of the bacon, I put in peas. It is a yummy dish and I will continue to make it. I served it with mashed potatoes and some homemade cranberry sauce.
Wade says
I tried this in the fire station. Turned out fantastic and a big hit with my crew!
Jo says
Giving this a try today. No liquid, though?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Nope, the cream cheese will melt, plus there will be some liquid from the chicken. Enjoy!
Jennifer Deer Cook says
I want to try this recipe for a small party I’m hosting but I’m wondering if I can make it in the Instant pot. What do you think?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes! The instructions are here: https://bakeitwithlove.com/instant-pot-crack-chicken/
Ameerah says
Made this X2 for my husbands holiday work potluck, it was a hit and he loved it. Making it again today!
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Awesome! So glad it was a hit and you're enjoying it! Thanks for stopping in to share 🙂
Leah says
Currently making 8x the original recipe (16lb of chicken) for our wedding. Because of the amount, I'm going to bake it on the lowest oven temp in a 22qt roaster pan.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Oh my! Hope that everything turned out wonderfully for your wedding! Congratulations!
Mikey says
This sucker worked a treat on the Sabbath for me. Prepared it the night before, clicked the power on before I went to bed, and shred it in the morning before church. My housemate sneaked a bit in the meantime before the shredded cheese was added, and thought it was fantastic as-is. When I got home afterwards, I heated a few taco tortillas which went fantastically.
Rest assured, this recipe has been saved to the backlogs and will be revisited.
Kelly smith says
it is yummy and tasty.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Thank you so much Kelly!!
Chris Waghorn says
This looks so tasty!! I want it now! Easy too, great recipe.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Thank you Chris! You should definitely have some now 🙂