This is my original slow cooker crack chicken! Creamy shredded chicken loaded with bacon, cheese, and ranch is as delicious and addictive as it sounds. I created this slow cooker recipe with busy families in mind, and it took the internet by storm!
Why I Love This Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Crock pots and comfort food are made for one another. From my slow cooker chicken and dumplings to just about any of my favorite easy crockpot chicken recipes, rarely is there a winter weeknight when my crock pot isn’t at work. I came up with this easy slow cooker crack chicken with my family’s crazy schedule in mind, and it’s a hit! Here’s why it has me hooked:
- Addictive flavors. This crack chicken is fully loaded with tender chicken, savory ranch, melty cheese, and smoky crumbled bacon. Just 4 simple ingredients transform into the most flavorful and creamy shredded chicken ever.
- 5 minutes of prep. Crack chicken couldn’t be easier to make in the crock pot or slow cooker. Just combine everything, and hit go. It’s perfect for weeknights, potlucks, last-minute dinners, and parties.
- Super versatile. Crack chicken is a delicious dinner served over rice, or you can serve it in a sandwich, tortilla, or lettuce wrap. I’ll even serve it hot from the slow cooker, like my crock pot chicken nacho dip, with bread or crackers for dunking.
This crack chicken recipe inspired countless spin-offs, from soft pretzels filled with cheese, ranch, and bacon to my favorite cheesy ranch potatoes. If you love creamy chicken dinners like angel chicken and my cheesy chicken and artichoke bake, just wait until you try it!
What Exactly Is Crack Chicken?
A while ago, the internet came up with the name “crack” for the addictive combination of cheese, bacon, and ranch. I created this crack chicken as a way to fit all of those delicious, cheesy, smoky flavors in one easy slow cooker recipe. It became so popular that I made an Instant Pot version, too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The real beauty of this slow cooker crack chicken is the simple ingredients. My original recipe needs only 4 of them! You can easily customize it by adding freshly grated cheddar, fresh herbs, or add-ins like veggies based on what your family likes. More on this later on.
For now, here are some quick notes on what you’ll need. Scroll down to the recipe card for a printable ingredients list with the full details.
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Chicken thighs might take a little more time to cook.
- Cream Cheese – My favorite is Philadelphia cream cheese. The first time I made this recipe, I went all out and used their bacon cream cheese. They also make a jalapeno flavor if you’re after a spicy kick (also check out this creamy fiesta chicken). I recommend swapping only one of the blocks for flavored cream cheese so you don’t overdo it.
- Ranch Seasoning – Choose your favorite packets of store-bought ranch seasoning mix. Or, if you have a homemade mix that you love, go ahead and use it.
- Bacon – Cooked using your preferred method until it’s nice and crispy. Afterward, crumble or chop the bacon into smaller pieces.
How to Make Crack Chicken
Making slow cooker crack chicken is as easy as dumping your ingredients into the crock pot, and walking away until it’s done cooking. Here’s a quick overview, and you’ll find the printable instructions in the recipe card below the post.
- Combine the ingredients. Add the chicken, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning to the slow cooker.
- Cook. Set the crack chicken to cook on Low for 6-8 hours, or on High for 4 hours.
- Shred and serve. Once the chicken cooks through, stir it with a fork to shred it. Finally, stir in the crispy bacon and dig in!
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Use blocks of cream cheese. This recipe works best with full blocks of cream cheese, and not the bagel spread that comes in tubs.
- Don’t overcook the chicken. Overcooked chicken will be dry. Use your slow cooker’s Low setting if you plan on leaving this crack chicken to cook for the day unattended.
- Test the chicken for doneness. The easiest way to do this is with an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reads 165ºF. Fully cooked chicken should be easy to shred with a fork.
- Time-saving hack: If you’re short on time, shred a rotisserie chicken from the store. Then, melt the cheese, add the ranch, and stir everything together.
- Less sodium. If you’re watching your sodium levels, feel free to use one packet of ranch seasoning mix instead of two.
- Herbs and seasonings. This recipe is deliciously simple, so there’s room to adapt it with your favorite seasonings. Stir in thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning. Chopped parsley, green onions, or chives are a great way to add some green. You can give this crack chicken some kick with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes, too.
- Add cheddar cheese. For more melty, cheesy flavor, add freshly shredded sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even Pepper Jack cheese.
- Add vegetables. Good options to add to crack chicken are fresh diced carrots, broccoli, sliced green beans, and mushrooms. You could also use a frozen vegetable medley.
Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker crack chicken is one of those go-to recipes that you can use in TONS of ways. I think I’ve tried them all, but my favorite way to serve pulled chicken and crack chicken is between toasted hamburger buns. Top the chicken with shredded cheddar and extra bacon, pop it under the broiler quickly, and… *chef’s kiss*. A sprinkle of chives adds a nice pop of green.
My crack chicken is low-carb and keto-friendly on its own, or you can tuck it into a lettuce wrap or serve it with a green salad on the side. This chicken also makes a tasty topping for rice, enchiladas, or tacos, or I’ll serve it as a creamy dip with bread, crackers, or crunchy tortilla chips for dipping.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Refrigerate. Crack chicken is great for meal prep. Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge to reheat for easy lunches and dinners within 3 days.
- Reheat. Warm the chicken on the stove or in the microwave. If the cream cheese has thickened a little in the fridge, stir in a splash of water or broth while reheating.
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: serves 8
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Dinner
Description
My original slow cooker crack chicken is creamy, cheesy pulled chicken with bacon and ranch. This easy slow cooker recipe is an internet smash, created with busy families in mind!
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese
- 2 (1 oz) packets dry Ranch seasoning
- 8 oz bacon, cooked crisply and crumbled
Instructions
- In a slow cooker combine the chicken, cream cheese, and Ranch seasoning.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until chicken shreds easily.
- Once chicken shreds stir with a large fork or spoon, so the chicken shreds and all the ingredients combine.
- Add in crumbled bacon and stir to incorporate.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Store airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 554
- Sugar: 2.1 g
- Sodium: 1266.4 mg
- Fat: 33.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.6 g
- Protein: 51.2 g
- Cholesterol: 209.2 mg
First night I made this it was not a big hit. We had to add mushrooms & tomatoes to get the hubby & kids to touch it. I had to come up with a solution to use the leftovers in a way that was still low carb so I added (a rather large) amount of Louisiana hot sauce and that flavored it up enough that the husband and I ate it served with a side of broccoli. I think if I would have cooked it with jalapeños to begin with, it would have tasted much better.
I think this looks amazing and can’t wait to try it! In your picture of the ingredients is shows the ranch dip mix. Is this generally what you use or the dry dressing mix? I noticed one person said they thought it was salty and I think the dip mix is saltier than the dressing mix so I was just curious?
That’s a great question. I use the dip mixture typically, but assumed they were the same. I will check it out to see the difference!
I was shopping for the ingredients for this and figured out the dip mix has over 100mg more sodium than the dressing mix. So I would definitely stick to the dressing mix if you are worried about saltiness.
good to know!
When I use tanch dip for making cheese balls they say make sure it’s the dip not the dressing because dressing mix is saltier. Hope this helps.
Ok, thank you so much . Have a blessed day:)
Looks so yummy. Do you think o could use the whipped cream cheese instead? Thank you
sure!
No, it’s a different molecular structure. It will not taste good!
And now you’re a physicist…..
How much cheddar cheese goes into this recipe ? Thanks , making this tonight 🙂
I don’t ever put cheddar in the recipe, I only sprinkle a bit on top when I use the chicken for sandwiches!
Does it matter how the ingredients are added? I don’t want the chicken to burn at the bottom of my crock pot.
Thank you for the recipe too.
I added the chicken first and everything else on top!
Love the sound of the chicken, but the site has to many ads that play sounds & you can’t get them to stop without turning the sound off on the computer.
Val you have spam o spy wear or a virus on your computer been on this site more then 15 minutes reading and not 1 pop up.
That’s right. You need to change your settings.
It’s your computer settings. I haven’t had any.
Great recipe……but very very salty 🙁 followed the recipe but I think the ranch mix has too much salt 🙁
I had the same results I actually went back through and thought I added too much or too little of something, my husband devoured it I couldn’t even eat 4 bites and I definitely wouldn’t give it to my child being to salty ?
I made this using only 1 pkg of dry ranch dressing, 1 – 8 oz cream cheese and only a couple slices of cooked bacon. It was good! And definitely salty enough. I can’t imagine how salty it would be with 2 pkgs of ranch dressing and half a pound of bacon!!
Thank you for sharing that it worked with one pkg of each of those. Did it turn out more like the picture? I just made it as is, and it is so creamy I could never stomach it as a sandwich. It is an incredible dip, though!
hey any alternates for cream cheese block nd ranch seasoning? as thee are not available in uk.
You can find a recipe for home made ranch dressing mix on-line. Some have even posted links on here. And Tesco on-line site shows cream cheese http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=285142050 and I expect this is similar http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=261765674. Good luck!
Try Mascarpone and make the homemade ranch.
Black Pepper ¼ C
Parsley Flakes 1 1/2 C
Garlic Salt ½ C
Kosher Salt 2 Tbsp
Granulated Garlic ¼ C
Granulated Onion 3/4 C
Dill Weed 2 Tbsp
Try Greek yogurt!
Have you tried it with Greek yogurt? I do not eat cream cheese. Thank you.
do you think it could be done with a whole skinned chicken (cooking time would vary of course)? I was just thinking about fixing the mississippi roast recipe with chicken but this sounds much better. heck i may even try this with beef roast
I cook a whole chicken all the time in the crock pot. I cook on low for 8 hours, and I have never had it come out raw.