Slow Cooker Crack Chicken


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Slow Cooker Crack Chicken has everything that is good and addicting in it! Filled with bacon, cheese, cream cheese, and ranch dressing mix.

Who doesn’t love a recipe with cream cheese in it! If you have extra cream cheese also try my olive garden chicken pasta or artichoke mushroom chicken.

shredded creamy chicken with bacon and cheese on top.
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I finally got around to trying this Slow Cooker Crack Chicken recipe. My neighbor told me about this crack chicken, though she makes instant pot crack chicken.

This crack chicken recipe is a creation by Shelly from the website Cookies and Cups. I am so glad I gave this recipe a try the flavors go so good together and go great over white rice which helps take away a bit of the saltiness.

raw chicken with ranch dressing mix and 2 blocks of cream cheese top.

How to make Crack Chicken:

I start with chicken thighs instead of breasts. I feel the thighs have more moisture, and the overall dish turns out decadent with the thighs. I also only use one ranch packet to cut back on the sodium.

You will need these ingredients:

  • Chicken thighs – trim off excess fat
  • Ranch dressing seasoning mix (can use dip mix if that’s what you have)
  • Cream cheese
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Cooked bacon
  • Green onions
cooked chicken, ranch dressing and cream cheese in slow cooker.
  • Add the chicken to the slow cooker.
  • Top with the ranch packet and cream cheese. Wait to add the other ingredients.

How long do I cook?

  • Place the lid on the slow cooker
  • Cook on low for 7 hours and do not open the lid during the cooking time.
Finished crack chicken in slow cooker with bacon, cheese and green onion on top.
  • After the cooking time is up, shred the chicken with 2 forks. I do this right in the slow cooker, no need to remove the chicken and dirty a plate.
  • Add the cooked bacon then top with the cheddar cheese. Place the lid back on to let the cheese melt. Sprinkle over green onions if desired.
shredded creamy chicken with cheese, bacon and green onion on top, in the slow cooker.

What to serve this with

  • Over white rice (my favorite option)
  • Eat it as is if you are on a low carb or keto diet
  • Over-toasted hamburger buns
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Inside of baked potatoes
  • With crackers; serve as a dip
  • Add a salad on the side with any of the above options
shredded chicken with cheese on top over rice on plate.

This dish is so rich and creamy! I am dreaming about making it again this week. Such a fun recipe to try for a Sunday dinner or even to entertain guests. Give this recipe a try and let me know how you like it. Have a great week.

crack chicken over rice with salad on side on speckled plate

Here are my other favorite slow cooker chicken recipes:

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shredded creamy chicken with bacon and cheese on top.

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

4.35 from 263 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is made of everything addicting and delicious! This chicken has bacon, cheese, cream cheese and flavored with ranch dressing seasoning mix.

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs, (trim off excess fat if desired)
  • 1 oz. packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 16 oz. cream cheese
  • 8 slices bacon, (sliced, cooked and drained)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions

Instructions 

  • Add the chicken thighs to the slow cooker. Sprinkle over the ranch seasoning mix. Place the cream cheese on top of the chicken.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • Shred the chicken, I do this right in the slow cooker with 2 forks. Stir the cooked cream cheese into the shredded chicken and also stir in the bacon. Spread out into an even layer. Sprinkle over the cheese. Cover for 10 more minutes to allow the cheddar cheese to melt.
  • Serve over rice and sprinkle over the green onions. Enjoy! Other great ways to serve is over a baked potato or on sandwich rolls. 

How to Video

Sarah’s Notes

Can I use chicken breasts in this recipe?
Yes, chicken breast do work with this recipe if you prefer them.
Can I use more than 2 lbs of chicken?
More chicken can be used in this recipe without changing the other ingredients and still will turn out great!
Can I make this spicy?
Use a spicy ranch packet or add 1 jalapeno to this recipe for added spice.

Nutrition

Calories: 690kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 275mg | Sodium: 1102mg | Potassium: 583mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1430IU | Vitamin C: 1.6mg | Calcium: 297mg | Iron: 1.9mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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899 Comments

  1. Ranae says:

    5 stars
    I’m making this for the second time today. My family loves it and it’s super easy to make! We froze some of the leftovers and they were as good as the freshly made recipe. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

  2. Gaby P says:

    5 stars
    We tried this a couple a weeks ago and my kids loved it!! Left overs were put in the fridge and the following day we made quesadillas with it! This is now my favorite meal!

  3. Sheryl says:

    5 stars
    Oh my so good!
    I live alone now and I still make this recipe! When my children know Iโ€™m cooking this; I usually get a visit!โ€ฆ.lol! The ones that come take a doggy bag!

  4. Alexandra Taylor says:

    I only have thin sliced chicken breasts at the moment. Would you recommend cutting the time in half?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I have not tested, but you probably could shorten the time by an hour or two.

  5. Wanda says:

    How much breast & other ingredients do you add to feed 8 people.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I would do 1.5 of this recipe or double it.

    2. Barbara says:

      If you use rotisserie chicken as oppose to raw chicken does that effect the cook time?

      1. Sarah Olson says:

        Yes, you can cut the time in half and you’ll want to add a cup of broth.

  6. Pat Blaylock says:

    Can I cook this crack chicken recipe on high part of the time so it cooks in less time?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, that will work fine.

  7. Anonymous says:

    5 stars
    I added penne pasta and it was great!

    1. Allyssa says:

      Did you use dry or cooked penne pasta? When did you add it in?

  8. Anonymous says:

    My family loves this crack chicken,
    Thank you for your hints
    Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      So happy to hear that!

      1. Diedre says:

        I made this recipe with chicken breast. It was dry. What and how much other liquid can be added to put moisture back into this dip?

      2. Sarah Olson says:

        You can add about a half cup of chicken broth to make it less thick.

  9. Heather B says:

    5 stars
    Can I use Greek Yogurt in lieu of the cream cheese?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      When greek yogurt is added to hot foods it turns to water, so keep that in mind. I would use lower fat cream cheese and cut that in half before doing greek yogurt.

  10. Vanessa says:

    Can you use frozen chicken thighs for this recipe?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I don’t recommend using frozen meats in the slow cooker for some studies suggest it’s unsafe for the meat stays in the danger zone too long.