Slow Cooker Crack Chicken


948 Comments


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.

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:

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

4.37 from 275 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.
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

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.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

Other recipes you may like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




948 Comments

  1. Brittney St. Clair says:

    Any suggestions for subbing cream cheese?? I only have one block of cream cheese and don’t want to send my hubby back to the store as it is far! HELP!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      You can just use one! Maybe add more cheese?

  2. Louetta says:

    5 stars
    We make this a lot. I usually don’t have bacon so we skip that. I add a little more ranch and lots of pepper and garlic powder. Yum!!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Love the way this recipe taste, however, I used chicken breasts and it was very dry especially over rice. To warm it up I’m going to have to add broth. Lots

    1. Jeanne says:

      4 stars
      I had the same experience; I used breasts and ithe dish was somewhat dry. Or maybe I should say that the “sauce” was much to thick. When I heat up the leftovers, I’m going to stir in some milk.

  4. Shannon says:

    Made this and the chicken cooked to the bottom of the crockpot. Did I miss the ingredient that makes this wet? Fat thumbs down for me.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      The chicken thighs make a liquid for this, and I’ve used chicken breasts without it drying out. I’m sorry this happened.

  5. Lisa says:

    5 stars
    I mixed cooked broccoli into it and served over rice! Yummy. Thank you for the recipe!

  6. Emily says:

    5 stars
    great recipe over rice is yummy

  7. Pat says:

    Does this reheat well? I want to make it the day before and take it to work.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I think it does reheat well. It’s one of the few things I like reheated.

  8. Heather says:

    5 stars
    Always a winner when we get after the crack chicken my husband loves to make! Our favorite way is used as the filling for wraps using the large flour burrito tortillas, fold them up tight, and enjoy. It is VERY rich but very

  9. Darlene G DeAngelis says:

    5 stars
    Truly amazing recipe

  10. Megan says:

    Can I use frozen chicken thighs? If so how long would I cook them?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Some studies suggest cooking frozen meats in the crockpot isn’t safe; I can’t give advice, sorry!

    2. Mary says:

      I had made this meal with frozen chicken n it came out great. Hope this helps.