This Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is a simple, creamy crockpot meal made with shredded chicken, cream cheese, Ranch seasoning, and bacon.
You may be wondering what exactly Crack Chicken is. It's a creamy combination of shredded chicken, cream cheese, Ranch dressing mix, and bacon that's easy to make and always a hit. This keto-friendly dish can be served warm or cold. Enjoy it as sandwiches, over pasta or rice, or even on a bed of lettuce. It's also great for parties as crack chicken pinwheels or piled onto buns like these chicken bacon ranch sliders.
Quick Look: Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Total Time: 4-6 hours
- Servings: 6
- Main Ingredients: Chicken, cream cheese, Ranch seasoning, bacon
This slow cooker crack chicken is creamy, cheesy, and full of Ranch and bacon flavor. Made with just a few simple ingredients, it's an easy dump-and-go meal that works for sandwiches, sliders, over rice, or even as a warm party dip.
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Made this tonight served it as a pasta dish and it was super amazing will definitely make this again!!
Ingredient Notes
This easy dinner comes together quickly with just a few simple ingredients and is family-approved. See the printable recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and step-by-step directions.
- Chicken Breast– Boneless, skinless breasts work best. No need to dice; just place them directly in the slow cooker.
- Cream Cheese– This adds the creaminess. Plain cream cheese works great, but chive and onion is a nice option too.
- Ranch Dressing Mix– A homemade blend or a store-bought packet both work well.
- Bacon– Cooked and crumbled. Jalapeño bacon adds a little extra kick if you like heat.
- Cheddar Cheese & Green Onions– Optional, but highly recommended for added flavor and garnish.
How to Make Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
This recipe is incredibly easy to make. Add everything to the slow cooker and by dinnertime you'll have a meal the whole family will enjoy. Short on time? This Instant Pot crack chicken is a quick alternative.
Step 1. Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of the slow cooker and top with the cream cheese, dry Ranch seasoning mix, and cooked bacon. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Step 2. Remove the lid and shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks.
Step 3. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and green onions over the chicken.
Step 4. Serve with crackers, on a sandwich, over rice, or over potatoes.
Tips for Success
- Use real bacon for the best flavor. Bacon bits work in a pinch, but real bacon adds more richness.
- Cook low and slow when possible to keep the chicken tender and prevent it from drying out.
- This recipe doubles well and leftovers freeze nicely for an easy future meal.
- Cut the cream cheese into chunks before adding it so it melts and blends more easily.
- Serve it as a dip for parties or appetizers with crackers or veggies, alongside other crowd favorites like my jalapeno popper dip.
Serving Suggestions
- On hamburger buns or pita bread
- Over loaded mashed potatoes
- Wrapped in a tortilla or lettuce wrap
- Over Instant Pot jasmine rice
- Served as a dip with crackers, vegetables, or pretzels
- Over Amish buttered noodles
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers store well and reheat easily.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheating Instructions: Thaw if frozen, then reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Recipe FAQs
Crack chicken is made with shredded chicken, cream cheese, Ranch dressing mix, and bacon. Some versions also include cheddar cheese and green onions for extra flavor.
Yes. You can use frozen chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Cook on LOW and allow extra time until the chicken is fully cooked and easy to shred.
Yes. Crack chicken is naturally keto and low carb when served on its own or with lettuce wraps instead of bread or pasta.
Yes. Let the crack chicken cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Crack chicken is commonly served on sandwich buns, over rice or mashed potatoes, in tortillas, or as a dip with crackers or vegetables. It also pairs well with garlic parmesan spaghetti for an easy dinner.
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Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 packet dry Ranch dressing mix
- ½ lb bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
- ½ bunch green onions chopped, optional
Instructions
- Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with the cream cheese, dry Ranch seasoning mix, and cooked bacon.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until the chicken is tender.
- Remove the lid and shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and green onions over the chicken. Serve as desired.
Notes
- For best results, cook on LOW to keep the chicken tender.
- This recipe can be doubled for a crowd and freezes well for later meals.
- Serve on sandwich buns, over rice or pasta, or as a dip with crackers or vegetables.
- For a low-carb option, serve with lettuce wraps or on its own.
Nutrition
Mandy says
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 says
Yay! Love hearing that you all enjoy this recipe!!!
Jim says
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 says
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!!
Brittany says
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 says
Yea!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this!!
Abby says
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 says
Ooooo now THAT sounds yummy! I will have to remember that for next time! Glad you enjoyed!!
Traci says
Just another way to use this chicken… I make enchilads out of it and they are amazing!
Kristin says
Oh wow! I never thought of that! Great idea, thanks!
Wendy B says
PS…the REAL bacon pieces from Sam’s is a quick fix to cooking bacon. They are real and do not taste artificial!
Kristin says
Gotta love quick fixes! Thanks for the tip!
Angie says
Can this be served cold the next day? Thinking of sending in my daughters lunch, but she doesn’t have access to warm it up.
Kristin says
Absolutely! My kids LOVE this in their lunch at school and never warm it up! Such a great idea!
Wendy B says
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!!!
Kristin says
Great idea on the flavored cream cheese, I will have to remember that!
Victoria says
Made this tonight served it as a pasta dish and it was super amazing will definitely make this again!!
Kristin says
Oh yum! Love the idea of serving over pasta!! Glad you enjoyed it!!
Alicia says
does this feed enough to bring to a postseason banquet for school?
Kristin says
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!
Alex says
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 says
So glad you enjoyed it! You can even add cooked bacon in at the end if desired!
Kat H says
Has anyone tried this in an instapot??? Just curious on the time???
Kristin says
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!