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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

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.

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. Mike Benton says

      February 18, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      5 stars
      Ma’am I want to thank you so much for sharing this recipe. It was very easy to follow the directions, the aromas were wonderful, the flavors were great and we had great time visiting with friends and family.
      Thank you

      Reply
    2. Anonymous says

      February 16, 2020 at 8:17 am

      I was ready to give it a try until I read the comments. Some say it’s too dry. Others say it’s too soupy. Is there an ingredient missing from the posted recipe?

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        March 14, 2020 at 1:03 pm

        Sometimes the person who post the recipe does not say if the chicken is frozen or fresh. 7 hours is a long time to cook fresh chicken. A lot if the time recipes to be moist must have the meat frozen at start time which obviously contains more water. I am making this today but i really don’t think chicken need to cook for 7 hours. My rule of thumb was always 4 hours for fresh and 6 hours for frozen chicken in the crock pot

        Reply
    3. Carol says

      February 12, 2020 at 1:53 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Sarah, my daughter fixed this 2 weeks ago and was out of this world. We are cutting back on carbs and ate on romaine lettuce leaves. She had enough left overs for work and everyone wanted to know how she made it. Huge hit.
      My Mother always said “ you can make some of the people happy some of the time but you can’t make all of the people happy all of the time”. She has passed away but I share her poetic phrases with my Grandchildren and they love them.
      Keep up these great recipes.

      Reply
      • Sandee Corwin says

        February 17, 2020 at 6:21 pm

        5 stars
        I made this tonight and it was delicious. Definitely will make again.

        Reply
    4. Donna B. says

      February 5, 2020 at 7:29 am

      this is a gloopy glopy mess!
      It looks likes someone vomited in the crock pot…. same look, same consistency, stop being lazy and take the appropriate time and steps to cook your food. Cooking is not throwing everything in a pot and walking away, this looks super nasty! First we eat with our eyes, so even if this recipe is tasty how does one move past the look and nasty consistency???
      Be ashamed of this mess and cook…… PLEASE,

      Lovingly, Donna from Delaware

      Reply
      • Pat says

        February 7, 2020 at 5:38 am

        You must lead a miserable life. Didn’t your momma teach you if you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all? Wow!!

        Reply
      • Tammy says

        February 9, 2020 at 9:16 am

        5 stars
        To each there own. I’m assuming you didn’t finish this recipe fully because if you did you would see it looks like BBQ pulled chicken when you cut the chicken and mix it. The taste is awesome that I triple the recipe to have left over for busy weeknights. You can serve in many different ways my family loves it!

        Reply
      • Jess says

        February 9, 2020 at 9:34 am

        5 stars
        I’m so sorry we’re not all as perfect as you Donna. You sound like such a joy to be around. I plan on making this for dinner this week and I guarantee my family will gobble it up and go for seconds. You want to talk about vomit, maybe stop spreading your hateful word vomit everywhere. No one cares about your nasty disgusting opinion, considering you didn’t even bother to try the recipe. So sad that there are still people like you in this world.

        Reply
      • Anonymous says

        February 10, 2020 at 3:24 pm

        What is wrong with you? Keep your opinions to yourself lady. Sheesh.

        Reply
      • Carrie says

        February 11, 2020 at 11:42 am

        Go screw yourself. Bye.

        Reply
      • Janie says

        February 16, 2020 at 12:23 am

        Donna you sound like you have a stick up your ass.
        With Love Janie.

        Reply
        • Anon says

          February 17, 2020 at 7:09 pm

          We could make a perfect rotisserie out of her. Taking our time with each step of course. Martha Stewart could host the party!

          Reply
      • Kay says

        February 21, 2020 at 7:03 am

        You must not have a job, I work 10-12 hours a day, including most weekends, crock pot meals are life savers for a working woman

        Reply
      • Jane says

        February 21, 2020 at 7:14 am

        Donna, if you set at home all day you can prepare meals, but if you work 7 days a week, a crock pot is like your best friend, try working 8-10 hours or more each day for awhile and maybe you’ll learn to appreciate what a blessing it is to not have to come home and cook when your tires

        Reply
      • Melissa Torres says

        February 21, 2020 at 10:47 am

        5 stars
        The flavors are like having a party in your mouth. It really is a delicious recipe. I have made this without shredding the chicken and it’s not as messy but still just as good. Donna give it a try. I think you’ll love it.

        Reply
      • pat shea says

        February 22, 2020 at 12:57 pm

        you are rude. it is Delicious, maybe you have enough time to spend cooking a big meal but some of us don’t

        Reply
      • Anonymous says

        February 22, 2020 at 9:34 pm

        Wow, aren’t you a little pretentious. If you don’t like the recipe, move on. No one forced you to make it, or eat it. Your comments were absolutely unnecessary. While I’m at it, who’s to say you even followed the recipe correctly. I doubt your an executive chef either,, otherwise you wouldn’t be on this site. People like you disgust me. Quick to judge and ridicule. I feel bad for you, I really do.

        Reply
      • selena says

        February 23, 2020 at 12:41 pm

        hhhmmmm posted at 7:29 in the morning ?
        what’s the matter so early in the day ?
        LOL !
        and yes sweet pea, i even worked permanent nights for 20 years + and never was outraged by a recipe !
        and a crockpot !
        LOL

        Reply
      • Rhonda Barrett says

        February 26, 2020 at 7:22 am

        Why not try making it first before you complain about it? I have eaten some gorgeous food in my life that was absolutely uneatable because it tasted so bad so don’t judge a book by it’s cover.On the flip side I have eaten some meals that don’t look too pretty,but taste out of this world! It’s sad that judging others no matter what seems to be the norm these days.

        Reply
      • Cindy says

        February 27, 2020 at 10:16 am

        Holy cow what a passive aggressive review looking for attention. Look at me tearing this recipe to pieces but signed Lovingly. Wow, you need meds not a chicken recipe.

        Reply
      • Elaine says

        February 28, 2020 at 4:40 pm

        Oh Donna, bless your heart!

        Reply
      • Anonymous says

        March 1, 2020 at 4:29 pm

        You are just nasty!! Hope you are proud of the way you come across!

        Reply
      • Christiana W. says

        March 4, 2020 at 3:22 pm

        Donna, you got to stir it really good until it all comes together. It’s very good and super simple. It’s great as a dip or as a meal 🙂 if it didnt come out great then I’d double check how you made it because many people will agree that this is amazing. To each their own, I guess.

        Reply
    5. Katie says

      January 27, 2020 at 9:04 am

      Going to try this tonight!! If I wanted
      To
      Add peas when should I put those in? Can I put them in at the beginning of the 7 hours or do I have to add them later?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 27, 2020 at 9:07 am

        I add peas at the end, even if they are frozen, takes 1 minute for them to thaw.

        Reply
    6. Monika says

      January 11, 2020 at 5:09 pm

      4 stars
      This did turn out pretty soupy as previously mentioned, but as it settles the consistency is better. I didn’t think, presentation wise, it looked much like the photos, however,
      it was tasty over rice. The cheesiness and bacon are my favorite parts, the green onion adds a nice taste too! I added some sour cream to my personal dish, may consider making as a dip for Super Bowl or try the Buffalo Ranch dip out, thank you!

      Reply
      • Lyn says

        January 28, 2020 at 1:41 pm

        Did you add your sour cream when you first put your chicken in the crock to cook with your cream chz? And how much did you add? That sounds like a great addition to the recipe. I put a couple tablespoons of oil and a cup of chicken broth to the mix.

        Reply
    7. Vera says

      January 4, 2020 at 7:03 am

      I made this in my slow cooker with chicken breasts two nights ago. I used a plastic liner for my crock pot. It was very dry. On the second night, I added some chicken stock and a bit of heavy cream, heated it up in a frying pan over medium heat. Served it over a bed of lettuce. I will try it again with chicken thighs.

      Reply
    8. Nancy says

      December 23, 2019 at 5:06 pm

      I made this today, chicken ranch and cream cheese, very soupy, should I remove 1/2 of the liquid before adding cheddar cheese and bacon? I want it for rolls.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 23, 2019 at 6:48 pm

        once it’s mixed it thickens up, but yes you can remove the liquid if you think it needs it.

        Reply
      • Kerry Murphy says

        February 18, 2020 at 5:30 am

        Yes, remove liquid and save. You add the broth back later to meet your desired texture.

        Reply
    9. Maria says

      December 21, 2019 at 10:00 am

      For keto, you could put it over roasted cauliflower, or mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes.

      Reply
    10. Amanda says

      December 3, 2019 at 10:22 am

      This was actually too cheesy and rich for me – it was almost hard to eat. Any suggestions of stuff to eat it with that might offset the cheesiness/richness of it?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 3, 2019 at 10:39 am

        White rice is our favorite way to eat it.

        Reply
      • Kathy says

        February 19, 2020 at 10:09 am

        I added a enough white wine to loosen it up since it was very thick. That additional cut the richness. I sprinkled on a bit of garlic powder, onion powder and ground rosemary and warmed it again. Great additions.

        Reply
    11. David says

      November 19, 2019 at 2:29 pm

      Tried it with breasts, I dislike thighs. Followed the directions and the breasts were almost burned after the specified cooking time. Needs a liquid of some sort. The breasts were tender and shredded easily and I managed to salvage the mixture for a supper. Not that good though.

      Reply
      • Donna M Charles says

        January 1, 2020 at 6:43 pm

        I have this recipe, but the only thing that was missing from this recipe was 32 oz. chicken broth !

        Reply
    12. Diane says

      October 10, 2019 at 1:35 pm

      Can you use frozen chicken in this?

      Reply
    13. Katrin says

      October 9, 2019 at 2:29 pm

      Can I make this on high for 3-4 hours instead of 7 hours on low?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 9, 2019 at 7:39 pm

        Yes! That will work fine.

        Reply
        • Nicole says

          February 20, 2020 at 7:26 am

          I don’t have cream cheese on hand, can I sub sour cream? Thanks

          Reply
    14. Joana Fitch says

      October 8, 2019 at 9:45 am

      Do you know of any fun, tasty additions to this recipe? I’m planning on cooking this again and was wondering if there were any thing else you’d suggest in addition to the bacon?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        October 14, 2019 at 11:59 am

        I made it and added frozen peas in the last hour. It’s not keto friendly so if you are doing that or low carb don’t, but otherwise it worked well with this.

        Reply
      • Heather Herold-Breen says

        October 28, 2019 at 5:05 pm

        We used pepperoni instead of bacon and put some hot sauce and herbs and spices to make it a spicy crack chicken. It was delicious.

        Reply
    15. Adelle says

      October 7, 2019 at 6:16 pm

      I am gone for 9 hours. Can I cook it for 7 hours on low and warm for 2 hours?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 7, 2019 at 8:21 pm

        Yes, I think this should work fine!

        Reply
    16. Scott says

      September 28, 2019 at 2:39 pm

      Looks like a great recipe. I’m going to make it tomorrow. Any suggestions on how to make it creamier. So there is sauce to soak the rice a little bit

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 28, 2019 at 3:37 pm

        It’s very creamy, but I think you may want it saucier if you want the rice to soak it up. I would add some chicken broth about a half cup. Even some water and a chicken bouillon cube.

        Reply
    17. Alyssa says

      September 24, 2019 at 12:51 pm

      Does the chicken need to be thawed?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 24, 2019 at 1:23 pm

        The USDA says to thaw meats before adding to the slow cooker. Though I’ve seen some manufacturers of slow cookers say it’s fine. This recipe will work with frozen chicken but do your own research on frozen meats in the slow cooker.

        Reply
        • Tammy Forrester says

          January 17, 2020 at 8:59 am

          How do you think this would be served over spaghetti squash ?

          Reply
        • Anonymous says

          February 14, 2020 at 2:50 pm

          I would think frozen chicken might make it to soupy… not sure tho. I am def trying this recipe!!

          Reply
    18. Nikki says

      September 18, 2019 at 9:17 am

      5 stars
      I’m making it this week in our crock pot! I have made it in the IP and it’s great but I love my crockpot more . We use mashed potatoes if we don’t have rice. No matter what it’s very filling!

      Reply
    19. Sally says

      September 10, 2019 at 6:40 pm

      4 stars
      I made this the other day and WAY overcooked it. Cooked it for the 7 hrs. as recommended but since I was at work, told my husband to put it on warm…and then I forgot about it. I got home 3 hrs. later! Well, the cream cheese kind of curdled or something-it didn’t look so good but I figured we would eat it anyway and it really tasted good! Even with the overcooking! So, thank you, Sarah, for a still enjoyable meal despite my cooking error!

      Reply
    20. Heather says

      September 8, 2019 at 6:04 pm

      Decided to start cooking this at night like I do my roast. After the 12 hrs can I leave it on war until the am then aff the rest of the ingredients?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 8, 2019 at 6:45 pm

        I think 12+ hours is too much for chicken breast and this little of liquid. I wouldn’t do more than 8.

        Reply
        • Lyn says

          January 28, 2020 at 1:06 pm

          Ms Sarah, I’m making your recipe for the first time. In your video it shows using 2 blocks of cream cheese. But on your recipe it calls for one. How many should I use?
          Thanks!
          I cant wait to see how it tastes!

          Reply
          • Sarah Olson says

            January 28, 2020 at 1:48 pm

            Each block is 8-ounces :). Yes, 2 blocks.

            Reply
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