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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 313 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

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shredded creamy chicken with bacon and cheese on top.

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

4.86 from 218 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. Gianna says

      February 20, 2021 at 7:14 am

      Can I cook this on high?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 20, 2021 at 7:38 am

        Yes, should do fine!.

        Reply
    2. Melinda Weaver says

      February 18, 2021 at 10:57 am

      Can I start with frozen chicken breast ? Just cook longer ?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 19, 2021 at 2:44 am

        I don’t give advice for frozen meats. Some studies suggest it isn’t safe.

        Reply
    3. Sandy says

      February 17, 2021 at 8:08 am

      5 stars
      This dish is so easy and delicious. The second time I made it I quartered red potatoes and put on top of cream cheese. Dusted the potatoes with ranch powder and had an instant side dish. Thank you so much for the wonderful recipes!

      Reply
    4. Luke Ruttmann says

      February 15, 2021 at 10:12 am

      Love this recipe
      I add a pat of butter
      Use 1/2 of a ranch packet
      One block cream cheese
      Less shredded cheddar too
      Lightly Sprinkle paprika on top ( mostly for color)
      Use breasts / and I don’t shred
      We don’t use the bacon/ not needed at all
      Weekly favorite ❣️

      Reply
    5. Michelle says

      February 13, 2021 at 9:34 am

      5 stars
      They don’t call it crack for nothing! This is addictive and so easy. The first time I made it, we put it on yeast rolls hot out of the oven. Eventually we just cut out the middle man and grabbed a spoon. The second time, I cooked it overnight, my teenager got up before I did. I didn’t get a single bite!

      Reply
    6. Cindy says

      February 10, 2021 at 3:07 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent, will be having this for supper at least every other week.

      Reply
    7. Sandra D Russell says

      February 10, 2021 at 7:34 am

      can i use ranch dressing (liquid)

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 10, 2021 at 8:07 am

        I have not tried, I apologize.

        Reply
      • Sandra Darby says

        February 21, 2021 at 1:39 pm

        I did use the liquid type Ranch and it was great! Juat added enough to cover the chicken.

        Reply
    8. Anonymous says

      January 29, 2021 at 5:08 pm

      1 star
      It looked so much better in the pictures than it turned out. The flavor was ok but the chicken was VERY dry.

      Reply
      • Tina Marie says

        February 11, 2021 at 8:53 am

        Did you use thighs? If not, that is why it was dry.

        Reply
      • Anonymous says

        February 14, 2021 at 7:49 am

        Try adding some chicken broth to keep the chicken juicy. That’s what I done with chicken breast, instead of thighs.

        Reply
      • Ed says

        February 15, 2021 at 12:45 pm

        5 stars
        Pan searing or grilling the chicken for 5-6 mins on each side will help chicken to be juicy and cut down slow cooker time.

        Reply
      • Anonymous says

        February 25, 2021 at 5:15 pm

        The first time I made, I used chicken breast and it was much dryer than the photos looked but the flavor was okay. I just made tonight with thighs and it was much more moist, like the photos.

        Reply
    9. Dee says

      January 28, 2021 at 7:14 am

      Is that 690 calories per serving?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 28, 2021 at 7:27 am

        yes

        Reply
    10. Angela says

      January 21, 2021 at 12:30 pm

      Is there an option for high cooking to speed up the time or does it not turn out?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 21, 2021 at 12:42 pm

        Yes, 3.5-4 hours on high.

        Reply
    11. Anonymous says

      January 21, 2021 at 7:38 am

      Can you do this with frozen chicken?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 21, 2021 at 8:20 am

        Hi, I can’t recommend using frozen chicken, some studies say it’s not safe.

        Reply
        • Reenie says

          February 10, 2021 at 10:41 am

          I’ve never heard of that. I’ve used frozen chicken in the crock pot for years.

          Reply
    12. Steve says

      January 20, 2021 at 2:25 pm

      2 stars
      Did not turn out well. The flavor is good but the consistency is more of a dip.

      Reply
      • Anonymous says

        January 21, 2021 at 1:47 pm

        2 stars
        Excellent flavor but more of a dip.

        Reply
        • Leslie says

          February 12, 2021 at 5:29 am

          I always add a cup of low sodium chicken stock so it’s not too thick. However, I use 3 lbs. boneless chicken breasts.

          Reply
    13. Lisa Dee says

      January 16, 2021 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      I loved this, as did my family. I added onion and celery. Will be a great go to!

      Reply
    14. Anonymous says

      January 16, 2021 at 9:56 am

      Will leftovers work?

      Reply
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