Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
948 CommentsUpdated Oct 17, 2024
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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.
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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
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
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.
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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Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
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
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Do you cook the chicken before you put it in the slow cooker? If not, can you cook it before you put it in?
I put it in raw, though you can brown it before you put it in.
I used chicken breast…..at the end when I added the shredded cheese, I also added heavy whipping cream, 2 c sauteed spinach and 6 medium sauteed mushrooms! ( I left the bacon out this time)
Loved Love Loved it!!!
What if chicken is frozen how long and what temp
I can’t give advice on frozen raw meat in the slow cooker, some studies show it isn’t safe.
We love Crack Chicken. My grandson ask for it all the time. I’m diabetic so I can eat it too. Low carb and almost no sugar
Can you use a rotisserie chicken or would it be a little on the salty side?
It may be a little salty. But also dry. You’ll need to add chicken broth.
I think the ranch killed it. I wasted all this money making this and noone will eat it, making me nauseaus
My family loves it. It is one of our faves, however I back off on the ranch seasoning and only use half. But you can also use your own seasonings to make it differently. Sorry it didn’t work out for ya’ll.
My friend’s sister made this last year when she was visiting, she mixed it in with cooked penne (Personally I think shells would be better bc they would hold all the succulent sauce!) and baked it off in the oven as a casserole. I liked it presented that way also. It is an outrageous dish and that’s what I will call it when I share the recipe, I’ve noticed some people are offended by the word crack. I might just make this for the 4th!!!
It’s easy to fix. I was expecting something better as far as the taste goes. Probably won’t make it again.
Would the cook time decrease if I am using leftover chicken that I have previously roasted, and should I maybe shred the chicken before adding into the crockpot since it is already cooked?
Hi! Yes, you can probably cut the time in half.
using this recipe with cooked chicken may dry out the chicken too much. But you could try it and greatly reduce the cooking time
I would just mix the soup and the ranch in a pot until it all incorporates together. Shred the cooked chicken or cube it and add it in the end just to warm the chicken through.
Can you use chicken breast instead? Not a thigh person. Looks delicious & can’t wait to make. Thanks.
Yes, I’ve done it with chicken breasts and it works fine in this recipe.
I cooked 4 chicken breasts with same recipe and the meat is so dry. Can you tell me should I have cooked it for less time? Thanks
Hi! You may need to add chicken broth to the recipe if you are using that much chicken breasts. The timing is probably fine.