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This slow cooker crack chicken (cheddar ranch chicken) is an addicting combination of chicken, cheese, bacon and ranch dressing. Cooking this in the slow cooker takes all the work out of it and makes it a super simple hearty dinner for busy days.
There’s a reason this recipe is called “crack” chicken. It’s just so good you get addicted! If this combination of ingredients catches your eye, you should also try out my crack chicken casserole, crack potatoes and crack chicken dip!
Crack Chicken Recipe
What exactly is “Crack Chicken?” It’s a classic combination of cream cheese, ranch, cheddar and bacon. Similar to this crack dip, this has all the same delicious flavors, but made meal-worthy by adding shredded chicken. It’s still comfort food at its finest, just with some added protein!
This keto-friendly dish is so versatile, and everyone loves it. My kids ask for it all the time! It’s a hearty, rich and cheesy meal. Perfect for any occasion, it’s like the little black dress of dinners. Dress it up or down depending on the occasion and it’s a winner either way. I mean, you really can’t go wrong with flavorful cheesy chicken. It’s so tasty, your whole family will go crazy over it. It’s also the perfect crowd-pleaser for a potluck!
Cheddar Ranch Chicken Ingredients
Easy dinners are my fave. Especially with grocery prices as high as they are, I love that I can whip up a satisfying, hearty meal with just a few ingredients! The combination of these items creates the best flavor ever. Everyone in your family will be wanting seconds! Note: all measurements can be found below in the recipe card.
- Chicken Breasts: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. No need to cut them at all, just throw them in your slow cooker!
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning: This is the dry ranch seasoning mix not ranch dressing. Using homemade is SO GOOD! You can find my full recipe here.
- Cream Cheese: For a creamy and decadent sauce!
- Bacon: Cooked and crumbled then stirred into the chicken mix.
- Cheddar Cheese: A must-add for cheesy goodness! I recommend shredding your own cheese, as prepackaged cheese contains a bunch of preservatives that keep it from melting properly.
- Green Onion: A garnish to top it off!
How to Make Crockpot Crack Chicken
This is so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried it sooner. Simply add all of your ingredients to a slow cooker, then set it and forget it! At the end of the day, you’ll have a wonderful meal to enjoy. The flavor and cheesiness is SO good!
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: First place your chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Then sprinkle with dry ranch dressing mix. Cut the cream cheese into cubes and place over the chicken mixture and seasoning.
- Cook: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4.
- Shred: Shred the chicken and then top with bacon and cheese. Cover until melted. Then garnish with green onions if desired.
Tips for the Best Crack Chicken in the Slow Cooker
It’s really difficult to mess up this crock pot crack chicken recipe, but here are a few tips to help it turn out as tasty as possible.
- Chicken: Use skinless and boneless chicken for less fat and grease. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer!
- Bacon: For the best taste and texture use real bacon crumbles. Bacon bits can be pretty artificial tasting.
- Keep it From Drying Out: This is definitely a recipe you don’t want to over cook. The best success is long and low.
- Cream Cheese: Chunk the cream cheese and then distribute evenly over the chicken for even melting.
- Cheddar Cheese: Bacon and cheddar just go together but you can easily change it up, try jalapeno pepper jack for a kick, colby jack, or even swiss!
- Double: Double the recipe and freeze leftovers for quick dinners and lunches.
- Shredding Chicken: The easiest way to shred chicken is with your hand mixer right in crock pot. It’s easy and fast! You can also just use 2 forks.
Storing Leftovers
Keep your crack chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days and, yes, you can freeze it! Put it in a freezer-safe, airtight container and it will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat in the microwave when you’re ready to eat it!
What Do You Eat Crack Chicken With?
Slow cooker crack chicken is such a versatile dish. It can be served so many different ways, making it a new dish each time! You’ll have to see which version is your favorite!
- Over Rice: This adds an Asian twist.
- Hamburger Buns or Pitas: Place on oven-toasted buns for a delicious sandwich!
- Mashed Potatoes: Over top for a rich and hearty meal.
- Inside Baked Potatoes: Split open your baked potato then add this cheesy chicken as a topping!
- Crackers and Veggies: This recipe also doubles as a fun, cheesy dip.
- Wrapped in a Tortilla: Something light but simple for a quick lunch or snack time.
- Lettuce Wraps or on Top of a Salad: Add a little more to your greens with this hearty chicken and cheese.
- In Pitas or Croissants: Another idea for a quick lunch or gathering.
- Pasta: Bring on dinner with this chicken and your favorite noodles!
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
These chicken recipes are made so much easier in the slow cooker. It’s a great way to use up any frozen chicken breasts you may have on hand, and the flavor of each of them is out of this world! They’re the perfect dinners for busy moms!
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Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 2 packets dry ranch seasoning
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a slow cooker add the chicken to the bottom. Sprinkle with dry ranch seasoning. Top with cream cheese. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours long.
- Shred the chicken with two forks. Top with bacon and sprinkle with cheese. Cover until melted. Serve on buns, over rice and garnish with green onions.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Does the crock pot size make any difference. I have a 7 qt.
My first time and I want to do it right.
Hi David, thank you for your question. It shouldn’t make too much of a difference what crockpot size you use. I used a 6 or 7 qt. crockpot to make this so you should be just fine.
This is sooo good and I tasted it before I put the cheese and bacon on it. I cut the recipe in half for just the two of us. Served over mashed potatoes. Yum.
I made it last year using s recipe from a meme, never tried crack, but is as addicting, I did put in more bacon. I’m a guy that is sick of single life and likes to cook
I live in Australia, Dry ranch seasoning hard find and couldn’t find powered buttermilk locally. I have all the other ingredients, could I make the ranch seasoning without the powered buttermilk and just put liquid instead, but would need to know amount. Thanks
Hi! You can make the ranch seasoning without the buttermilk powder and still use it to get the same flavor in the casserole. You should still get plenty of tang from the cream cheese. OR you can substitute in regular powdered milk if you have that!
AWESOME! Super easy and tasted great!
Delicious and simple to make! My husband loved it! We ate it with tortilla chips!
Thank you Alyssa for a delicious recipe!
I’m switching it up! Pepper jack cheese/jalapenos/adding black beans. And im going to split the cream cheese pepper jack and cheddar.
I make this often. We all love it. Easy and so delicious😋!
i really want to try this recipe, but the only cream cheese i have is a tub of whipped plain cream cheese. would that work?
Yes, that should work!
Actually maybe not… it’s recommended to use blocks of cream cheese because the tubs of softened cream cheese have too much water
Making this for a baby shower and serving it on Hawaiian Rolls or slider buns. Any idea how I could get out of this recipe!
Question…. I’m substituting raw chicken with cooked rotisserie chicken. How long does it need to cook in a crockpot?
You dont…just heat cheese and add ranch mix heat and stir until warm. Warm chicken add ,stir, top with bacon and cheese then it’s done !