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!
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 packet dry Ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, place the chicken on the bottom, followed by the cream cheese, dry Ranch mix, and bacon.
- Place lid on slow cooker and cook low for 6-8 hours, or high for 4 hours.
- Remove lid and shred chicken using two forks.
- Serve on its own, on a bun as a sandwich, wrap, over pasta, rice, etc.
Tabby
It didn’t need any kind of liquid added?
Kristin
Nope, the chicken will release some juices and it is plenty! Enjoy!
Beverly
Could this be frozen for later use?
Kristin
Sure! Once cooked, I have frozen the leftovers and they have been great!
Kim
How many servings per chicken breast?
Kristin
This recipe serves about 8, depending on how big the chicken breasts are 😉
Midge8
Sorry, this just didn’t get it. Made it tonight and I won’t make it again. No flavor, none what so ever.
Karen
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!
Kristin
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Rich
Only 1 lb of Chicken?
Kristin
Yep! If you increase to 2lbs, be sure to add another block of cream cheese!
MLL
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
Kristin
Sorry it wasn’t a hit with you!
Emily
Should chicken be frozen or thawed?
Kristin
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!
Deb
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.
Kristin
Oh no!! What a bummer!! I haven’t had that issue so I am not sure what happened! Sorry it didn’t turn out!
Annette Johnson
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?
Samantha
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.
Kristin
I accidentally bought non fat cream cheese a few weeks back when I made this and it worked great!!
Kristin
Yea! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Frank
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.
Anonymous
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.
Kristin
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!!
Kristin
That would work great too!! Glad you enjoyed it!
Angela
Can this be done on the stove or in the oven?
Kristin
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!!
Christina Criswell
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.
Kristin
Ooooo I love the addition of Rotel, great thinking! So glad you all enjoy this!
Donna
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.
Kristin
Oh yum! I love the changes you made! So glad you enjoyed this!
Sue
Do you cut up the block of cream cheese?
Kristin
You can if desired, I usually just plop it in whole! Enjoy!!
Chris
Can you double the recipe in one large crock pot?
Kristin
Definitely! I have done that before and it works great! Enjoy!
Amanda
If chicken is frozen how long should it cook in crockpot?
Kristin
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!!
chuck
Could you add a few boneless skinless thighs, or would it be be too much juice
Paul brush
Could you use all the chicken pieces and demon when done.just wondering if the dark meat will shread.
Kristin
Sure! Dark meat would work great and gets just as tender, so shredding works perfect! Enjoy!
Kristin
No problem at all, that would work out great!!
Sandra Engle
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.
Kristin
Hmmm, shouldn’t have been soupy, but no issues draining! Hope it turned out great!
AJ
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.
Kristin
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!
Valerie Poppell
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?
Kristin
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!!
Chuck
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!
Kristin
So glad everyone enjoyed it!!
TedC
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.
Kristin
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!
Alyssa
About to make this. How long do I put it in the crockpot if the chicken is already thawed?
Kristin
About 5-6 hours on low, 3-4 hours on high. Enjoy!!
Angela
Very rich. Could only eat a couple bites. I think it’d be better with some onions, mushrooms, green onions and less cream cheese.
Kristin
I have heard others cut the cream cheese in half, perhaps that would help?
Tanya Clements
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
Kristin
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!
Kat H
Has anyone tried this in an instapot??? Just curious on the time???
Kristin
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!
Alex
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!
Kristin
So glad you enjoyed it! You can even add cooked bacon in at the end if desired!
Alicia
does this feed enough to bring to a postseason banquet for school?
Kristin
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!
Victoria
Made this tonight served it as a pasta dish and it was super amazing will definitely make this again!!
Kristin
Oh yum! Love the idea of serving over pasta!! Glad you enjoyed it!!
Wendy B
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!!!
Wendy B
PS…the REAL bacon pieces from Sam’s is a quick fix to cooking bacon. They are real and do not taste artificial!
Kristin
Great idea on the flavored cream cheese, I will have to remember that!
Kristin
Gotta love quick fixes! Thanks for the tip!
Traci
Just another way to use this chicken… I make enchilads out of it and they are amazing!
Kristin
Oh wow! I never thought of that! Great idea, thanks!
Abby
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!
Kristin
Ooooo now THAT sounds yummy! I will have to remember that for next time! Glad you enjoyed!!
Brittany
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.
Kristin
Yea!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this!!
Jim
Questions.. 1. Will the bacon not fully cook in the 6 to 8 hours of slow/low cooking?
2. Why skinless, On keto, I want all the fat…
Kristin
The bacon won’t get crispy if cooked in the slow cooker alone. If you are okay with that, then you can definitely cook it at the same time, rather than precooked.
As for the chicken, skinless tends to shred easier, but if you prefer skin, definitely go for it as that works too!!
Enjoy!!
Mandy
This is my second time making it. It’s in the crockpot now!! I’m a single mom of a teen and tween boys and they LOVE it as a chicken sandwich. (they also like it by the spoonful out of the crock. This time I finely chopped some sun-dried tomato and will stir in some chopped up spinach a little bit before serving. It is SO yum and so easy to adapt to your family’s favorite add ins. Thank you!
Kristin
Yay! Love hearing that you all enjoy this recipe!!!