Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
948 CommentsUpdated Oct 17, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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
Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.
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.
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!
Can I do this with frozen thighs and, if so, how much longer would the cooking time be?
I think the same time will work great. They thaw pretty quick. Keep the lid on the entire time.
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!!!
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
I add a can of Rotel to mine for extra flavor.
Did you add the Rotel at the beginning and how did it turn out with it added in?
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.
Do you think I can make this & freeze some small containers for later use?
I’m unsure how the dairy in this would do in the freezer.
I used an 8oz pkg of green onion & chive cream cheese & an 8oz container of jalpeno cream cheese, gave it a little extra kick!
That actually sounds like a GREAT idea!!
Here in Denmark, we cant get ranch seasonning – whats in it? If I should try to remake it?
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
Can I cook this in a Instant pot, if so how long and on High or Low
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!