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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.
I liked it but found it rich and dry. I used a 1.5 lbs of tenders, one block of cream cheese, one bag of ranch/ I also threw in a tub of pesto and 1/4 cup of chicken broth and 1/4 cup of romano. I would make it again, but either cut the cream cheese to 6 oz or add more broth. probably more romano, and it needs some red pepper, maybe, for a bit of a kick. I always check the Recipe Critic when my wife lets me cook!
If you use chicken tenders instead of full breasts you need to cut the cooking time since those will cook faster. That might be why you found it dry, chicken could have been overcooked!
I’ve heard such good things about crack chicken, so I made it today. So disappointed, this is by far one of the worst meals I’ve ever made.
Hi Theresa, I’m so sorry the crack chicken didn’t work out for you! I’m here to help troubleshoot if you need it.
I literally came after taking a bite of this… its that freaking good!
So happy you liked it!
Hello! I am making this tonight and will freeze leftovers since I am due to have a baby any day! I thought this would be great to thaw out and enjoy when we have the newborn for the first few weeks when I don’t feel like cooking. Have you ever added red potatoes to the slow cooker with this?
Hi Kaitlyn! I’ve added shredded hash browns in this recipe here, but I’ve never tried red potatoes! I’m sure it would be delicious and work out perfectly.
Also, congrats on the little one, so exciting!
Trying this tonight! Do you need to flip and mix in the middle of cooking?
No, you don’t need to do that.
I think spinach would be a good addition.
I made this today with only 1 pack of the dressing mix and some broth with some leftover smoked chicken. Its good but way way too salty. Does anyone have any suggestions of what to add to it to cut down on that salt taste? I was thinking maybe some sour cream or milk. But not sure. Thank you
Based on what you added, I’d say its because of what you added that it was too salty.
Did you use normal or low-sodium broth (since broth would have extra salt and I see the original recipe doesn’t mention using broth).
Since you used smoked chicken and not unseasoned chicken, that’s additional seasoning (and more salt).
If you added the cream cheese, that “should” have cut some of the salt from the substitutes you used but because we don’t know the extra salt content added from the substitutes, I’d recommend doing it like listed just to see if it is salty.
If you want to use your substitutes, use a low-sodium broth (if you weren’t). Or, if you are using a low-sodium broth, whatever amount you used, make half of that water instead to cut the salt content.
We made this Crack chicken recipe May 20, 2023 for our family dinner and 3 people said it was too salty with using 2 pkgs of the Hidden Valley Ranch and the same 3 said it was too dry so they suggested using a can of Campbell’s soup or 1 c of broth. And only 1 pkg of the Ranch.
My sister and I thought it was perfect!
I finally got around to making this. I found it to be very tasty but also very heavy on my stomach. I added a bag of cauliflower rice and a box of sliced mushrooms to add some veggies. Two thumbs up!
This was okay, but family felt it was too bland. Probably won’t make again. Just not something we liked
I’m making it for the first time and I added garlic powder and a little Cavendar’s Greek seasoning. I always tweak recipes because they never say to season chicken. Ya gotta add you’re own flair.
Hello! Do I add any liquid to this? Just worried the chicken will be dry. Thank you!
No liquid is necessary! The juices from the chicken combined with the cheese will make is a delicious consistency. Adding in any liquid would make it more like a soup.
I have a family member dosen’t like ranch dressing can you make it with another seasoning instead of the ranch seasoning.
You could try Italian Seasoning instead! Check out that recipe here: Homemade Italian Seasoning
I made this using a bag of real bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese and omitted the green onions (personal preference). It was very good. It is thick like BBQ but creamy. I also put bread and butter pickles on my sandwich and thought the crunch was nice!
Can you use chicken thins and legs
As long as you use boneless chicken then it will work fine!
Tried a double batch but did not double the cream cheese and ranch mix and it turned out great . My husband said it was great . It is really yummy my granddaughters love it too . So yes I will make it again .
Made this tonight. Followed the recipe to a T with the exception of 2 more pounds of chicken. When checking the crock pot the ingredients had a lot of liquid so I had no worries it would be dry. However once I shredded the chicken and added the cheese and bacon it went quite thick and was more of a dip than say a meal. We put it on top of macaroni noodles however it was just too thick and rich. One box of cream cheese would be good enough I think. This recipe would be good as a hot dip for crackers or veggies but not as a meal option.