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.

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

4.36 from 265 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.
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How to Video

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. 

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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904 Comments

  1. Michelle says:

    5 stars
    They don’t call it crack for nothing! This is addictive and so easy. The first time I made it, we put it on yeast rolls hot out of the oven. Eventually we just cut out the middle man and grabbed a spoon. The second time, I cooked it overnight, my teenager got up before I did. I didn’t get a single bite!

  2. Cindy says:

    5 stars
    Excellent, will be having this for supper at least every other week.

  3. Sandra D Russell says:

    can i use ranch dressing (liquid)

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I have not tried, I apologize.

      1. Scott says:

        5 stars
        I have tried that in a similar recipe, it works I guess but it comes out kind of weird

    2. Sandra Darby says:

      I did use the liquid type Ranch and it was great! Juat added enough to cover the chicken.

  4. Anonymous says:

    1 star
    It looked so much better in the pictures than it turned out. The flavor was ok but the chicken was VERY dry.

    1. Tina Marie says:

      Did you use thighs? If not, that is why it was dry.

    2. Anonymous says:

      Try adding some chicken broth to keep the chicken juicy. That’s what I done with chicken breast, instead of thighs.

    3. Ed says:

      5 stars
      Pan searing or grilling the chicken for 5-6 mins on each side will help chicken to be juicy and cut down slow cooker time.

    4. Anonymous says:

      The first time I made, I used chicken breast and it was much dryer than the photos looked but the flavor was okay. I just made tonight with thighs and it was much more moist, like the photos.

  5. Dee says:

    Is that 690 calories per serving?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      yes

  6. Angela says:

    Is there an option for high cooking to speed up the time or does it not turn out?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, 3.5-4 hours on high.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Can you do this with frozen chicken?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Hi, I can’t recommend using frozen chicken, some studies say it’s not safe.

      1. Reenie says:

        I’ve never heard of that. I’ve used frozen chicken in the crock pot for years.

  8. Steve says:

    2 stars
    Did not turn out well. The flavor is good but the consistency is more of a dip.

    1. Anonymous says:

      2 stars
      Excellent flavor but more of a dip.

      1. Leslie says:

        I always add a cup of low sodium chicken stock so it’s not too thick. However, I use 3 lbs. boneless chicken breasts.

  9. Lisa Dee says:

    5 stars
    I loved this, as did my family. I added onion and celery. Will be a great go to!

  10. Anonymous says:

    Will leftovers work?