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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Chicken » Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

by Sarah Olson on August 5, 2020 | Updated August 2, 2021 754 Comments

258507 shares
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close up of crack chicken in slow cooker
collage of crack chicken images with text of ingredients.
collage of photos of crack chicken for pinterest

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.

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:

  • Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Chicken with Bacon Gravy
  • Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie
  • Slow Cooker Basil Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Hot Chicken

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shredded creamy chicken with bacon and cheese on top.

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

4.83 from 727 votes
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.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 7 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 690kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker – 4 quart or larger

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
US Customary – Metric

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. 
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Recipe 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 Information:

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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    258507 shares
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    Filed Under: Chicken, Most Popular Recipes

    Comments

    1. Anonymous says

      September 21, 2023 at 10:49 am

      5 stars
      Can I add pasta to the crockpot? Thinking like a Crack Chicken meets Mac and cheese? I’d think it would work with some added liquid and the noodles right?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 21, 2023 at 7:22 pm

        It’s hard to say how the noodles would cook up. Often they don’t do well in the slow cooker.

        Reply
      • Anonymous says

        September 27, 2023 at 9:52 am

        I was thinking cook pasta separately and add chicken mixture if carbs are desired.

        Reply
    2. Shelli says

      September 15, 2023 at 3:00 am

      5 stars
      This is absolutely delicious. Have been making this for years. Family and friends always request me to make. Alot of times have to double recipe. Have done different things with it over the years. Sometimes I omit the bacon if on hand or not. Also have substituted the ranch for onion soup mix and that’s awesome as well. Have had it seem a little dry before if that happens just add a little chicken broth or water to thin it to desired consistency. It’s definitely a favorite! We even use with wraps as well.

      Reply
    3. Anonymous says

      September 14, 2023 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks! Turned out great!

      Reply
    4. Kylie says

      September 14, 2023 at 8:37 am

      What is the serving size? It has the nutrition facts but does not say how much that is for.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 14, 2023 at 5:29 pm

        I apologize that I do not provide that information!

        Reply
    5. Patricia G says

      September 14, 2023 at 7:01 am

      5 stars
      Tried this recipe.. everyone raved about it including my fussy eater granddaughter.. will be a regular on my menu!

      Reply
    6. Anonymous says

      September 10, 2023 at 7:03 pm

      1 star
      Too much cheese

      Reply
    7. Dan says

      September 10, 2023 at 5:05 pm

      1 star
      Dry and gummy. Don’t waste your chicken breasts.

      Reply
    8. Lake says

      September 10, 2023 at 6:50 am

      Can I cook the chicken before I put it in the crockpot? How would that inpact cooking time?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 10, 2023 at 5:42 pm

        You can cook the chicken first, and cut the time down in half. Hard to say exactly without testing it.

        Reply
    9. Trista says

      September 7, 2023 at 6:25 am

      5 stars
      Best review ever!

      Reply
    10. Brian says

      September 3, 2023 at 11:48 am

      5 stars
      I made this late and drunky drunk. I had some chicken to be used and I happened to have a package of ranch from like 2020 and I have a ton of cream cheese. Woke up today and forgot I even made it. It turned out amazing. I used chicken breasts, the cheese was still in a block on top of the chicken and liquid that just needed to be stirred in. I did not have bacon so skipped that.

      Reply
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