Crockpot Crack Chicken
Our Crockpot Crack Chicken recipe is perfect for busy days when you are short on time but still want to serve an easy-to-prepare yet ultra-delicious dish.
This recipe combines tender chicken, cheese, ranch, and savory bacon and creates something extraordinary.
Indulge in this Slow Cooker Crack Chicken recipe, featuring tender chicken, creamy ranch, crispy bacon, and melted Cheddar.
Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe Highlights
- Easy to prepare with just a few simple steps
- Rich, creamy flavor from cream cheese and cheddar
- Versatile enough to serve on rolls, rice, or in wraps
- Perfect for busy days with minimal prep time
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
CHICKEN BREASTS – For this recipe, I chose boneless, skinless chicken breasts because they are lean and cook evenly in the slow cooker. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer a slightly richer flavor and more tender texture.
RANCH – This adds a burst of savory and herby flavor to the dish. You can use store-bought ranch seasoning or make your own by mixing dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt.
CHEESE – Cream cheese gives the dish a smooth, creamy texture that blends perfectly with the other ingredients. Full-fat cream cheese melts best, but you can use reduced-fat if you prefer. Shredded cheddar cheese adds a sharp, tangy flavor. Using freshly shredded cheddar rather than pre-shredded ensures it melts more smoothly.
BACON – Cooking the bacon until it’s crispy adds a wonderful crunch and smoky flavor to the dish. For a bit of variety, you could try using turkey bacon or pancetta, which will also add a unique twist to the flavor profile.
How To Make Crock Pot Crack Chicken
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker and sprinkle with ranch dressing. Add cream cheese on top. Cook on high for 4 hours (or on low for 6 hours).
- Shred chicken in the slow cooker and stir in 1 cup of Cheddar cheese.
- Crumble bacon and sprinkle over the chicken mixture. Top with remaining Cheddar cheese and cook for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts.
Planning and Leftovers
STORE – Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To ensure the best quality, let the dish cool to room temperature before refrigerating. This helps maintain the texture and flavor of the chicken and cheese.
FREEZE – Store leftovers in portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months. For best results, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Label each container with the date to keep track of freshness. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
REHEAT – Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. For the microwave, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. On the stovetop, place the portion in a saucepan over medium-low heat and stir occasionally until warm. Add a splash of milk or broth if the mixture seems too thick.
More Crockpot Chicken Dinner Recipes
Serving Suggestions
ON BUNS – Serve this creamy chicken on hamburger buns for a delicious and easy sandwich. Perfect for lunch or a casual dinner, it’s a hit with both kids and adults. Add some lettuce and tomato for extra freshness.
IN TORTILLAS – Wrap the chicken mixture in warm tortillas for a quick and easy wrap. Top with your favorite taco toppings, such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream, for a tasty meal.
RICE – Serve the chicken over a bed of fluffy rice for a hearty and satisfying meal. The rice soaks up the creamy sauce, making every bite flavorful and filling.
VEGGIES – Pair the chicken with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables such as rofor a balanced and nutritious dinner. Broccoli, green beans, or a medley of colorful veggies work great.
WITH POTATOES – Serve alongside roasted or mashed potatoes for a comforting and complete meal. The creamy chicken and cheesy mashed potatoes make a perfect match, offering a combination of textures and flavors.
Recipe Success Tips
CREAM CHEESE – Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature before adding it to the slow cooker. This prevents curdling and ensures it mixes smoothly into the chicken.
BACON – Cook the bacon until it’s very crispy, then drain it on paper towels. This keeps it crunchy when added to the dish, providing a nice texture contrast.
CHICKEN – Use a hand mixer to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. It’s quick, easy, and ensures the chicken is evenly shredded.
CHEESE – Shred the cheddar cheese yourself instead of using pre-shredded cheese. It melts better and gives the dish a smoother, creamier texture.
Commonly Asked Questions
How Do I Prevent The Cream Cheese From Curdling?
To keep the cream cheese from curdling, let it soften at room temperature before you add it to the slow cooker. Stir it occasionally while cooking to mix it in evenly.
Is Crack Chicken The Same As Crack Dip?
No, though they are both creamy, crack chicken is a dish with shredded chicken that’s in a sauce, while crack dip is an appetizer without chicken.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the creamy ranch chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze it for longer storage.
More Easy and Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes
Crock Pot Crack Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.25 pounds chicken breasts boneless skinless (trim off excess fat if desired)
- 2 tablespoons Ranch seasoning mix
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 ½ cups Cheddar cheese shredded
- ¼ cup green onions sliced
Instructions
- Place the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat and cook until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease and set aside.
- Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker and sprinkle the ranch dressing.
- Place the cream cheese on the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker and cover. Cook on high for 4 hours.*
- Shred the chicken with two forks or a hand mixer directly in the slow cooker. Add 1 cup of Cheddar cheese and stir until well combined.
- Crumble the cooked bacon and sprinkle over the shredded chicken mixture. Sprinkle the remaining Cheddar cheese over the bacon-topped chicken. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts.
Notes
SLOW COOKER TIMES
ON LOW: 6 hoursON HIGH: 4 hours
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.
do you have recipes for a 1.5 or 2 quart crockpot?
I don’t currently have recipes written specifically for a 1.5 or 2-quart Crockpot. That said, you can often scale down larger recipes like this one. For something like Crack Chicken, try halving or quartering the ingredients, and check a little earlier since smaller cookers run hotter and cook faster. If you want help adjusting a specific recipe, just let me know.