Let me start out by answering the question going through your mind right now. Why is it called crack chicken?? Well, because this chicken is addicting! Seriously! My kids were licking their plates clean afterwards (well, trying to at least before I stopped them…..that’s just weird, right?!).
A few weeks ago, I was having one of those crazy busy summer days and knew that if I didn’t something in my slow cooker that morning, dinner would be “take out” that night. Luckily, I had all the ingredients on hand for this chicken and it took less than 5 minutes to put together! Using only 4 ingredients, this meal is budget friendly as well!
After being out all day and coming home, not only did our house smell amazing, but dinner was ready!! I served ours as sandwiches, but this chicken would also be great over pasta, rice, or by itself!!
However you choose to serve this, you’ll love it!! Leftovers the next day were just as tasty served cold, so serve it as you desire because the possibilities are endless!
Enjoy!
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 packet dry Ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
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In a slow cooker, place the chicken on the bottom, followed by the cream cheese, dry Ranch mix, and bacon.
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Place lid on slow cooker and cook low for 6-8 hours, or high for 4 hours.
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Remove lid and shred chicken using two forks.
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Serve on its own, on a bun as a sandwich, wrap, over pasta, rice, etc.
It didn’t need any kind of liquid added?
Nope, the chicken will release some juices and it is plenty! Enjoy!
Could this be frozen for later use?
Sure! Once cooked, I have frozen the leftovers and they have been great!
How many servings per chicken breast?
This recipe serves about 8, depending on how big the chicken breasts are 😉
Sorry, this just didn’t get it. Made it tonight and I won’t make it again. No flavor, none what so ever.
This is delicious! I used chicken thighs because it’s what I had. Very rich and flavorful. So simple too. I can’t imagine why the one reviewer said it had no flavor, it sure does! I topped mine with a little smoked paprika and tossed in a finely chopped jalapeño. This is a keeper!
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Only 1 lb of Chicken?
Yep! If you increase to 2lbs, be sure to add another block of cream cheese!
This was not good at all and everyone I know that made it didn’t like it either. Looks good and easy to make but it doesn’t taste good
Sorry it wasn’t a hit with you!
Should chicken be frozen or thawed?
Either works great, just changes the cooking time a bit. I almost always use frozen since I tend to forget to thaw it, but no biggie either way!
I left in on high for fours hours and it burnt the ranch dressing. I had no liquid from the chicken breasts. Didn’t turn out so well.
Oh no!! What a bummer!! I haven’t had that issue so I am not sure what happened! Sorry it didn’t turn out!
This looks really good, but I need to cut out as much fat as possible for my family. Has anyone tried non fat or reduced fat cream cheese?
I made this with 2 lbs of chicken, 1 1/2 blocks of cream cheese, 2 packets of ranch and some smoked paprika and of course bacon! It was delicious! Thank you for this recipe! When served I added some cheddar jack cheese and hot sauce and it made it out of this world.
I accidentally bought non fat cream cheese a few weeks back when I made this and it worked great!!
Yea! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Couple notes….I did 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs so I doubled the recipe and did one pack of green onion and one pack of ranch instead of 2 raches. Added a container of chopped onion and a container of chopped diced peppers along with 3 tablespoons of jalapeno and some garlic powder. This is FRIGGIN MONEY. For those who said their’s was dry…not sure how (I know the veggies added some moisture but I ended up having to do a corn starch slurrie to tighten it up. That being said, this is a GREAT recope. My wife and her neighborhood friends were in the pool today and they kept sliding by the slow cooker and trying spoonfuls. Had to give them all the receipe. Can see this being great on fettucine as well.
Although the flavor was good, it was VERY salty. I’ll probably make this again but with 1/2 the ranch or another 1/2 bar of cream cheese.
Yea!! I am so glad to hear it is a hit with the neighborhood and your family! I love the variety you added to this, I will have to keep that in mind for next time!! Have a great day!!
That would work great too!! Glad you enjoyed it!
Can this be done on the stove or in the oven?
Hmmm, I have never tried it before, however, the oven would work I believe. I would guess at 350 until chicken is cooked, shred and add ingredients, and put back in oven for an additional 15-20 minutes. Hope that helps!!
Deliciousness!! I made this for a work potluck and it was a huge hit. I use a block of cream cheese for every 2 chicken breasts and we added rotel. First time we bought different breads and had it as a sandwich the next time we cooked rotini pasta and ate it with that. Yum yum yum.
Ooooo I love the addition of Rotel, great thinking! So glad you all enjoy this!
Very good….will use again…..I added a little water and put it over black beans and rice….topped with salsa, sour cream, and shredded cheese. I didn’t have bacon but will be sure to have it next time and try as a sandwich….thanks for this easy, versatile recipe.
Oh yum! I love the changes you made! So glad you enjoyed this!
Do you cut up the block of cream cheese?
You can if desired, I usually just plop it in whole! Enjoy!!
Can you double the recipe in one large crock pot?
Definitely! I have done that before and it works great! Enjoy!
If chicken is frozen how long should it cook in crockpot?
The time in the recipe is perfect for frozen chicken! I almost never thaw my chicken first as I typically don’t know what I am cooking until I am needing to make something, haha!! Hope you enjoy this!!
Could you add a few boneless skinless thighs, or would it be be too much juice
Could you use all the chicken pieces and demon when done.just wondering if the dark meat will shread.
Sure! Dark meat would work great and gets just as tender, so shredding works perfect! Enjoy!
No problem at all, that would work out great!!
I’m making now almost ready. Way to soupy. I haven’t shredded yet. Can I drain before shredding? And adding bacon and cheese? We want sandwiches.
Hmmm, shouldn’t have been soupy, but no issues draining! Hope it turned out great!
Is it good cold? We’re thinking of taking it to a tailgate. I do have the option to plug the crock in at the tailgate w/a portable outlet. I’ve made this before and we love it. We always make a huge batch and serve on sweet rolls. I add Dijon to the roll and it’s so good.
Hi!! This is actually quite tasty cold! My kids prefer theirs warm, but I love this cold served on a salad! I love the idea of adding Dijon!! Enjoy!
I have made this before and enjoyed it, but I have a couple questions. 1. You do not cook the bacon before it goes into the crockpot? 2. Can you use chicken that has already been cookex?
Hi! Yes, bacon is pre-cooked prior to going in slow cooker. If using chicken that is already cooked, it may get a little dry going into the slow cooker. If you were to skip the slow cooker, I am not sure how the cream cheese, ranch mix, etc would combine into the chicken. My guess, you probably wouldn’t want to do that, but its always worth a try! Enjoy!!
Very good recipe. Made this in a double batch. Split the batch and cranked up the heat on half and left the rest of it per the recipe. Had some guests over and between the family and the guests, totally wiped out this one. It’s a keeper!
So glad everyone enjoyed it!!
I want to try this recipe but I have a question. What would you suggest subbing the cream cheese with? My wife isn’t a fan of cheese, but I would like to try making something similar to this.
Hmmm, you can try sour cream or mayo?? Also ricotta cheese or cottage cheese works, but not liking cheese eliminates those! I would try 4 oz sour cream and 4 oz mayo in place of the cream cheese! Hope you enjoy!
About to make this. How long do I put it in the crockpot if the chicken is already thawed?
About 5-6 hours on low, 3-4 hours on high. Enjoy!!
Very rich. Could only eat a couple bites. I think it’d be better with some onions, mushrooms, green onions and less cream cheese.
I have heard others cut the cream cheese in half, perhaps that would help?
Absolutely delicious! Extremely flavorful..very rich though. I made a double batch thinking that a single wouldn’t be enough…hahaha..let’s just say I will be enjoying this goodness for a couple days to come. I had one sandwich and was FULL. Awesome recipe, will be making it again
Haha! Glad you enjoyed it! Sounds like you will be enjoying it all week! Try it over rice, in lettuce wraps, as a sandwich, or even over pasta to change it up as well!
Has anyone tried this in an instapot??? Just curious on the time???
Ooooo, I like your thinking! Being that everything would be pre cooked minus the noodles, I would guess 3-5 minutes high, manual pressure with a quick release, but I haven’t personally tried it yet!
Just made this last night and it was excellent! I skipped the bacon since I’ve found bacon to get soggy in crockpot recipes and less cream cheese since I didn’t really know the weight of my chicken as it was previously portioned. It looked gross when it was first done but after shredding the chicken it mixed really well and was delicious and super easy!
So glad you enjoyed it! You can even add cooked bacon in at the end if desired!
does this feed enough to bring to a postseason banquet for school?
You’ll get about 8 servings from this, possibly more depending on how its served and how big of portion people take! You can easily double this though!
Made this tonight served it as a pasta dish and it was super amazing will definitely make this again!!
Oh yum! Love the idea of serving over pasta!! Glad you enjoyed it!!
I have made this a couple of times. Used a can of green chilis the first time. Did not have any this time, so I added Salsa Verde! AMAZING!!! Also, you can use the flavored cream cheese..the one with onion and chives, and it adds so much flavor!! This recipe is a hit!!!
PS…the REAL bacon pieces from Sam’s is a quick fix to cooking bacon. They are real and do not taste artificial!
Great idea on the flavored cream cheese, I will have to remember that!
Gotta love quick fixes! Thanks for the tip!
Just another way to use this chicken… I make enchilads out of it and they are amazing!
Oh wow! I never thought of that! Great idea, thanks!
This turned out fantastic! I served this over spicy Thia noodles. The spicy noodles with the flavors of the chicken was a perfect blend. I added red onions to the chicken and scallions to the noodles. Will be having it again. So easy to make. Awesome sauce!
Ooooo now THAT sounds yummy! I will have to remember that for next time! Glad you enjoyed!!
Omg this was AMAZING!!! Was my first crockpot meal,family loved it. I added shredded Parmesan cheese (put on top of chicken before adding everything). Plus added very little water.
Yea!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this!!