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.
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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

4.35 from 260 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.

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. 

How to Video

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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889 Comments

  1. Brooke says:

    5 stars
    Cooked today for a party tomorrow, what reheating method would you suggest and for how long??

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      This is great reheated. I put in microwave for about 1.5 minutes.

  2. Rhona says:

    Iโ€™m wondering which is best sharp shredded cheese , mild , or medium

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I use sharp for most crockpot recipes.

  3. David says:

    Great recipe. Total average cost for me is about 14.50 but then my friends call me the frugal single dad chef. I have two teenage boys and they devour this in minutes. I canโ€™t eat spicy food anymore because of the radiation treatment for throat cancer but I used to mince a habanero pepper and that gave it a nice zing.

  4. Vicki says:

    5 stars
    This is a GREAT Recipe for a family gathering. Never any leftovers! I have a bowl of crispy bacon on the side for a person to add when putting on a slider bun. This is Always requested at my home for 4th of July gathering.

  5. Carol says:

    Can this be made ahead of time and refrigerated? Thinking about serving for a luncheon I am hosting. Having rolls ready if guests would like to make a sandwich.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I think it would work fine!

      1. Carol says:

        Thank you! I was concerned that the cream cheese would become too hard and it would be difficult to make a sandwich. Do you suggest I let it sit out at room temperature before serving or microwave?

      2. Sarah Olson says:

        Ohh, you are wanting to serve it cold? I woudn’t myself, I would reheat it. Or make it fresh. Sorry about the confusion.

  6. Anonymous says:

    5 stars
    So good !!

  7. Lauren says:

    Can i add cut up chunks of potatoes to this and if so when

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I would at the beginning, potatoes take just as long as meat in the slow cooker.

      1. Anonymous says:

        Potatoโ€™s should be added the last two hours of cook time. If not you will have mush.

      2. Sarah Olson says:

        Potatoes take longer than meat to tenderize in the slow cooker.

  8. Nicole Andrukaitis says:

    5 stars
    Can it be made on a higher setting? If so approx Cook time?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      3.5 – 4 hours will work great.

    2. Colleen says:

      Can I add frozen spinach if so when should I add?

      1. Sarah Olson says:

        I would add after shredding the meat. Wring it out very well. You may want to let it cook a little longer to heat up.

  9. Rachel Stark says:

    5 stars
    So easy to make and so good. Definitely one of my favorites

  10. Anonymous says:

    3 stars
    I love the idea but it turned out runny and oily. I used all fresh ingredients. The recipe cost 40 dollars to make I’m pretty disappointed

    1. Reenie says:

      I use a bag of the frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts which cost $9.99.

    2. Charley says:

      5 stars
      $40?!!! Wow, that is a lot. For me chicken was $9.50 for 1.5#, $3 cream cheese, $2 for dip mix, $3 for cheddar cheese 1 block. Total: $17.50. ( I do not put bacon in it, but that would add $2 on sale) After it is cooked through, I shred in crockpot with 2 forks, stir it, add cheese and stir, then turn off crockpot. Not oily at all. Sorry yours did not turn out well.

    3. Billie says:

      1 star
      I had the same experience with it. Very BLAND.

    4. Anonymous says:

      Use white meat.

    5. Cathy says:

      $40! Wow. I can always find chicken breast on sale for about two dollars a pound so thatโ€™s four dollars for the chicken. Cream cheese you can find on sale for a dollar a block that adds two dollars. You can buy a full pound of bacon on sale for $3.99, sometimes as low as $1.99 on sale. IF you use 1/2 pkg thatโ€™s two dollars at the higher price. I buy the big ranch mix at a big box store. Maybe $.50. Onions $.69. Cheese about $2. Thatโ€™s about $12. Glad I donโ€™t shop where you shop!