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Home » Chicken » Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

by Sarah Olson on August 5, 2020 | Updated November 19, 2020 287 Comments

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close up of crack chicken in slow cooker
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 Basil Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Hot Chicken

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shredded creamy chicken with bacon and cheese on top.

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

4.89 from 190 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.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crack chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
Total Time: 7 hours 20 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. 

How to Video:

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:

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
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
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    Filed Under: Chicken, Most Popular Recipes Tagged With: Chicken, crack chicken, crockpot, dinner ideas, recipe, slow cooker

    Comments

    1. Ben says

      September 6, 2019 at 5:46 pm

      5 stars
      I put double the amount of chicken in the crockpot bottom and smashed it all in there. I put in 2 packets of the ranch seasoning in and dumped 3 8 ounce packs of cream cheese on top of it. Plus I seasoned the chicken with some salt and pepper before putting it in the crockpot. After the 7 hours – and it only took one fork to pull it all apart – I dumped 2, 12 ounce packs of pre-cooked bacon which I pulled apart by hand in small pieces. Then I dumped 2-1/2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top, closed the lid as instructed and waited for it to melt. Absolutely delicious! This recipe is a keeper! Next time, we’re going to chop up 5 or 6 serrano peppers and add that to the mix as well as spicing it up with some cayenne pepper and see what a spicy version of this will taste like. Oh, and we dumped the concoction onto toast but then we pulled out the cheddar cheese potato chips and used it as a dip. Amazing!

      Reply
    2. Sally says

      September 2, 2019 at 9:57 am

      Can I do this with frozen thighs and, if so, how much longer would the cooking time be?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 2, 2019 at 11:20 am

        I think the same time will work great. They thaw pretty quick. Keep the lid on the entire time.

        Reply
    3. Cameo says

      September 1, 2019 at 7:23 am

      5 stars
      My mom recommended this recipe and I made it for a potluck at work… it was a HUGE hit! Making it again 2 days later for a friends housewarming party! It’s so cheap, easy and versatile! Thank you!!!

      Reply
    4. T says

      August 28, 2019 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      Literally so good! I’m in college and on a budget and need fast, cheap, low carb recipes and this hits all the boxes and is DELISH!!!!! Will make again. I keep reheating the leftovers and each time reheat I’m not even upset that I’m eating it for the fourth day in a row

      Reply
    5. Anonymous says

      August 25, 2019 at 6:52 am

      I add a can of Rotel to mine for extra flavor.

      Reply
      • SG says

        April 19, 2020 at 5:21 pm

        Did you add the Rotel at the beginning and how did it turn out with it added in?

        Reply
    6. Kristy says

      August 12, 2019 at 12:32 pm

      Clarification of step #3: Stir the cream cheese (THAT HAS BEEN COOKING) into the shredded chicken and also stir in the bacon. Spread out into an even layer. Sprinkle over the (SHREDDED CHEDDAR) cheese. Cover for 10 more minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
      Correct? I panicked that I had put the cream cheese in too soon. Had to read several times to realize I was just stirring cream cheese that had already been in the crock pot, then adding cheddar cheese to melt.

      Reply
    7. Sabrina Foster says

      August 1, 2019 at 5:07 pm

      Do you think I can make this & freeze some small containers for later use?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 2, 2019 at 6:24 am

        I’m unsure how the dairy in this would do in the freezer.

        Reply
    8. Sheila says

      May 15, 2019 at 6:05 am

      5 stars
      I used an 8oz pkg of green onion & chive cream cheese & an 8oz container of jalpeno cream cheese, gave it a little extra kick!

      Reply
      • Tony Jae says

        May 25, 2019 at 7:22 pm

        That actually sounds like a GREAT idea!!

        Reply
    9. Maria Lisette says

      April 27, 2019 at 11:24 pm

      Here in Denmark, we cant get ranch seasonning – whats in it? If I should try to remake it?

      Reply
      • Pat Cody says

        April 30, 2019 at 10:59 am

        Ranch Seasoning Ingredients

        1/2 cup buttermilk powder
        2 tablespoons parsley
        1 teaspoon dill
        1 tablespoon onion powder
        2 teaspoons onion flakes
        1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
        3/4 teaspoon salt
        1/2 teaspoon pepper
        2 teaspoons chives

        Reply
    10. Nancy J DiBella says

      April 25, 2019 at 7:21 am

      Can I cook this in a Instant pot, if so how long and on High or Low

      Reply
      • Ben says

        September 6, 2019 at 5:50 pm

        5 stars
        There’s lost of recipes out there for insta pot crack pot chicken. I’d imagine you could look at one of those recipes, using this recipe but their time and setting for it. This is a really good recipe!

        Reply
    11. Greg says

      April 24, 2019 at 9:35 pm

      Can this recipe be doubled or even tripled an use the same cooking time, or would I need to cook it longer? Sounds great for when the family gets together.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 24, 2019 at 9:53 pm

        Yes! You could probably add a bit more chicken and not change the other ingredients.

        Reply
    12. Cindy says

      April 24, 2019 at 2:47 pm

      I really want to make this and I love Cream Cheese, Worried 16 oz. will over power the chicken.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 24, 2019 at 3:01 pm

        It is a lot of cream cheese, we loved it. You can do just one though.

        Reply
    13. Petra says

      April 24, 2019 at 6:41 am

      Can I cook it on high for 3-4 hours instead of low on 7?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 24, 2019 at 6:57 am

        Yes, I think that will be fine.

        Reply
    14. Rebecca says

      April 24, 2019 at 5:59 am

      WOW! You have no idea how many times I’m reading comments for a recipe, and somebody asks, when do you add a certain ingredient. PEOPLE!, read the instructions, for Pete’s sake!!! For THIS specific recipe, it’s bacon. You add it (bacon) in #3 of the instructions! Great recipes Sarah! I can’t wait to check out your other blog!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 24, 2019 at 6:56 am

        It’s because I fixed it, it wasn’t there before. 🙂

        Reply
    15. Elly says

      April 23, 2019 at 6:13 pm

      Can I use white meat instead? would it still be good as the dark meat?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 23, 2019 at 7:08 pm

        The original recipe calls for breasts, I think it will be fine.

        Reply
    16. Lynne says

      April 23, 2019 at 5:46 pm

      Where in the process does the bacon get added please? (apologies if it’s there and I’m missing it)

      Reply
      • Monica says

        April 23, 2019 at 5:51 pm

        You didn’t miss it. I was wondering, too. I believe you cook the bacon separately and then you add it to the chicken mixture at the same you add the cheddar cheese.

        Reply
    17. Anonymous says

      April 23, 2019 at 5:12 pm

      Not heard of ranch seasoning or
      Green onions alternatives please
      Hilary Collins U K
      Green onions spring onions or
      Another name scallions??.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 23, 2019 at 7:08 pm

        You could add your favorite seasonings instead of the ranch dressing mix, and green onions are scallions here in the US.

        Reply
        • C connell says

          September 2, 2019 at 11:30 am

          Scallions are a small onion and gave the thin layer of brown skin on them. Green onions are the stalk onions the you cut the stalk which is hollow in the middle. There is a white bulb at the end of the stalk and you can cut that too but the little green circles from the stalk are more attractive. FYI

          Reply
      • Karen says

        September 14, 2019 at 10:14 am

        Ranch Dressing dry mix packets are available in the salad dressing area at the grocery store. Green Onions are also know as scallions. Long thin grass like stalks with small mini onion at the bottom. Use the green stalk cut accross which produces the little green circles metiioned above.

        Reply
    18. Lisa says

      April 23, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      I meant get be missing it, but when do you add the bacon, or is it just a garnish?

      Reply
      • Judy K. Mosterd says

        April 24, 2019 at 5:32 am

        Easy way to shred cooked chicken in crockpot is to use electric beaters!

        Reply
        • Kristy says

          August 13, 2019 at 8:37 am

          5 stars
          I did this for the first time and it worked great!

          Reply
    19. Linda says

      April 23, 2019 at 5:01 pm

      So I guess you crumble the bacon over the cheddar cheese? Just making sure.

      Reply
    20. Darleen M Hood says

      April 23, 2019 at 4:49 pm

      Where does the bacon go?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 23, 2019 at 6:51 pm

        When the chicken is shredded, right before topping with cheese. Thank you.

        Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 23, 2019 at 7:09 pm

        When you shred the chicken, stir it in. I added the info.

        Reply
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