Slow Cooker Crack Chicken made with chicken breast, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cheddar cheese and bacon. Cooked in the crockpot on low for 6 hours and serve.
This Slow Cooker Crack Chicken recipe is made with 5 main ingredients. Chicken breast, cream cheese, a ranch packet, cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Everything gets tossed into the Crock Pot and cooks on low for 6 hours and then it’s ready to serve on burger buns, mashed potatoes, stuffed in peppers… I’ve got a lot of ideas you can find below in the serving section.
How to Make Crack Chicken in the Crock Pot
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Recipe
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken made with chicken breast, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cheddar cheese and bacon. Cooked in the crockpot on low for 6 hours and serve.
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Equipment
Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- 2 packets ranch dressing mix
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
- 6 ounces bacon bits
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place 4 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the Cream Cheese and Ranch: Place 16 ounces of cream cheese on top of the chicken, followed by 2 packets of ranch dressing mix. There’s no need to mix—just layer everything in.
- Cook the Chicken: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-7 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker.
- Add Cheese and Bacon: Top the shredded chicken with 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese and 6 ounces of bacon bits. Cover the slow cooker and let it sit for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
- Serve: Serve as a dip, over rice or potatoes, or on a toasted bun for a sandwich.
Notes
Refrigerator Storage: Once the chicken has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days. I usually make a big batch, so having it ready to go is super convenient.
Freezer Storage: If you want to save some for later, you can freeze it! Place the cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. Just make sure to label it with the date, so you remember when you made it.
Reheating:
Microwave: For a quick reheat, pop a portion of the chicken into a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel (this helps retain moisture), and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Keep an eye on it to make sure it heats evenly.
Stovetop: If you have a bit more time, reheating on the stovetop is a great option. Place the chicken in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to keep it from drying out. Stir occasionally until heated through, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
Oven: Reheating in the oven works well if you’re warming up a larger batch. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil to prevent it from drying out, and bake for about 20 minutes or until it’s heated through.
Tip:
Add Extra Moisture: If the chicken seems a bit dry after reheating, stir in a little more cream cheese, chicken broth, or a splash of milk to bring back that creamy texture.
Add Extra Moisture: If the chicken seems a bit dry after reheating, stir in a little more cream cheese, chicken broth, or a splash of milk to bring back that creamy texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5 pound, Calories: 675kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 65g, Fat: 41g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 231mg, Sodium: 1022mg, Potassium: 967mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 1114IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 288mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Cuisine American
Recipe Tips
- Chunk the Cream Cheese: Instead of adding the cream cheese in one big block, cut it into chunks. This helps it melt more evenly and blend with the other ingredients.
- Chicken Shredding Hack: When it’s time to shred the chicken, ditch the forks and use a hand mixer right in the crockpot! It’s a quick, efficient way to get perfectly shredded chicken without the extra hassle or mess. This hack saved my life, you guys!
- Keep an Eye on the Clock: It’s tempting to just let it cook as you go about your day, but to avoid overcooking (which can make the chicken dry), start checking for doneness at the 6-hour mark. Remember, slow cookers can vary!
- Add the Bacon Bits Last: Be sure to add the bacon bits towards the end of cooking. This way, they’ll stay a bit crispy, adding a delightful crunch to your creamy Crockpot Crack Chicken.
Serving Ideas
Okay, guys… I’ve legit eaten Crack Chicken in all the ways listed below, and it’s all so good I can’t even tell you what my fav is. Seriously, it’s that amazing.
- Loaded Baked Potatoes: A fluffy baked potato topped with creamy, cheesy chicken. Add some green onions or extra bacon bits.
- Sandwiches: Grab a soft bun, pile on the chicken, and add some lettuce and tomatoes. Maybe a little bit of mayo or ranch dressing too.
- Wraps: Roll up the chicken in a tortilla with some fresh veggies. I love adding avocado and a drizzle of ranch dressing for extra flavor.
- Over Rice: Serve the chicken over a bed of fluffy buttered white rice or brown rice. It soaks up all the yummy sauce.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes topped with the cheesy chicken.
- With Pasta: Mix the shredded chicken into cooked pasta for an easy, delicious meal. If you’re feeling fancy, add a bit of Alfredo sauce.
- On a Salad: For a lighter option, top a fresh green salad with the chicken. It’s a great way to balance the richness with veggies.
- Stuffed Peppers: Fill bell peppers with the crack chicken and bake until the peppers are tender.
- As a Dip: Serve the chicken as a dip with tortilla chips or veggie sticks. It’s always a hit at parties, and people will be asking for the recipe!
- In a Casserole: Combine the chicken with cooked pasta, some veggies, and extra cheese, then bake it into a casserole.
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Give them a try, and let me know which one becomes your new favorite in the comments!
More Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Lentil Ham Soup
- Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
- Slow Cooker Lentil Stew
- Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken
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Easy and yummy!
Yay! Glad you liked it!
Hooked! I do like to use half Greek yogurt and half the cream cheese, but other than that I make as is!
I like to do that too!
I am on day 3 of eating this, as I made it for meal prep for lunch and I am not sick of it! Which usually when I do batch meal prep by now I do not want to eat another bite of whatever it is I made.
Lol love it! It def lives up to the name Crack Chicken! I like adding Franks Red Hot Sauce to it for wraps too!
First time I’ve actually tried making crack chicken, I know I am late to the boat! It was really good!! I did find it a little heavy for my tastes and may do some Greek yogurt in place of the cream cheese next time.
You can def substitute some of the cream cheese for Greek yogurt if the cream cheese is too much for you. Glad you liked it in general, though!