This crockpot crack chicken is made in the slow cooker with chicken, ranch, cream cheese and bacon. The tender creamy chicken makes the best crack chicken sandwiches!

Wooden spoon lifting a scoop of creamy crockpot crack chicken from a slow cooker, topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and chopped green onions.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Recipe

This crockpot crack chicken is one of our favorite chicken breast recipes that is irrestible with its combination of bacon, ranch and cheese. The chicken is cooked low and slow until tender and then extras like sharp cheddar and salty bacon are mixed in.

We love to use it to make crack chicken sandwiches for busy weeknight meals and I have even turned it into crack chicken chili! You can have so much fun with this casual easy slow cooker recipe, it’s always a hit when I bring it to parties and potlucks.

starstarstarstarstar

“I am obsessed with this dish! It’s creamy, delicious and so filling!”
Anna

Ingredient Notes

Overhead view of crockpot crack chicken ingredients arranged on a white surface, including raw chicken breasts, cubed cream cheese, canned green chiles, shredded cheddar, cooked bacon, green onions, seasoning, and ranch dressing mix.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Chicken: Start with raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts for tender, juicy shreds.
  • Ranch dressing: I used dry ranch seasoning mix from a packet.
  • Cream cheese: Soften it first and cut into cubes so it melts right into the chicken without clumping. For more flavor, use a savory flavored cream cheese.
  • Green chiles: A small can adds just the right kick to balance the creamy base.
  • Cooked bacon: Oven baked bacon stays crisp and adds smoky flavor.
  • Cheddar cheese: Freshly grated sharp cheddar melts beautifully for the best flavor.
  • Green onions: Sprinkle in for a pop of freshness and mild onion flavor.
  • Salt & pepper: Season lightly, there’s already plenty of salt in the bacon, cheese, and chiles.

How to Make Crockpot Crack Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then place them in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer. Sprinkle the ranch dressing overtop and then evenly distribute the cubes of cream cheese.

Raw chicken breasts in a slow cooker topped with cubed cream cheese and dry ranch seasoning mix.

Cover with the lid and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Once it is done cooking, shred the chicken right in the pot, pulling away at the meat using 2 forks. Then, add the green chiles, bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onions.

Slow cooker filled with shredded chicken topped with shredded cheddar, chopped cooked bacon, canned green chiles, and chopped green onions before mixing.

I love serving it on hamburger buns, in a tortilla, over rice, or with a side salad. It’s up to you how you want to devour this crock pot crack chicken recipe!

Overhead view of slow cooker filled with crockpot crack chicken topped with melted cheddar, bacon pieces, and green onions, with a wooden spoon scooping out a portion.

Recipe Tips

  • Be sure to use a block of cream cheese rather than the spreadable kind in a tub. It contains more water than the block which will affect the consistency of the crockpot crack chicken.
  • Avoid low-fat cream cheese. It won’t melt as easily as regular full-fat cream cheese.
  • While we’re at it, use real bacon too! It’s that smoky, salty, bacon-y flavor you want, not imitation bacon bits that are often made with soy.
  • Do not overcook the meat. Chicken breast is the worst when overcooked! I recommend low and slow for this one to avoid any rubbery results.
  • Pro tip. Use electric beaters (a hand mixer) to shred the chicken right into the pot. It’s quick, easy, and kind of fun!

Serving Suggestions

There are so many easy ways to enjoy crockpot crack chicken, whether as a party appetizer, casual snack, or full meal.

  • Sandwiches: Pile it onto homemade hamburger buns or ciabatta rolls for an easy dinner or brunch. Top with sliced cheese, diced tomatoes, green chiles, sauteed mushrooms, red onion, or crispy French fried onions for extra flavor.
  • Baked potato filling: Spoon it into a fluffy baked potato, or serve over mashed potatoes or rice for a hearty meal.
  • Nachos: Layer over tortilla chips, then add toppings like jalapeños, or extra cheese before baking until melty.
  • As a dip. Instead of my bacon cheddar ranch dip, serve this as a warm dip for game day!
  • Salads or wraps: Use it as a filling for lettuce wraps, or serve alongside a fresh tossed salad.
Soft hamburger bun filled with creamy crockpot crack chicken, topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon pieces, and green onions, served on a white plate.

More crockpot chicken recipes: crockpot Italian chicken, slow cooker honey garlic chicken and slow cooker chicken taco bowls.

More Easy Crockpot Recipes

See all
See all

Crockpot Crack Chicken

5 from 12 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6
This crockpot crack chicken is made in the slow cooker with chicken, ranch, cream cheese and bacon. The tender creamy chicken makes the best crack chicken sandwiches!
Print Pin This! Rate

Video

Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 Tablespoon dry ranch seasoning , from a packet
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese , cut into cubes
  • 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
  • 4-6 slices bacon , cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ⅓ cup sliced green onions
  • Kosher salt , to taste
  • Ground black pepper , to taste

Optional for serving: Buns, Tortillas

Instructions

  • In the bottom of a crockpot, place 2 pounds chicken. Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon ranch dressing over the top. Add 8 ounces of cream cheese cubes. Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.
  • Shred chicken. Stir in 4 ounce can green chiles, 6 slices bacon, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and 1/3 cup green onions until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve on buns or tortillas.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Cream cheese: Avoid low fat cream cheese, it doesn’t melt as well as regular cream cheese. Use flavored cream cheese for even more flavor, like jalapeno, garlic, chive, or herb cream cheese
Chicken: Swap chicken thighs for chicken breasts.
Ranch: You can also use homemade ranch dressing for even creamier chicken.

Nutrition

Calories: 459kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 41g, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Cholesterol: 164mg, Sodium: 613mg, Potassium: 691mg, Fiber: 0.5g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 827IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 190mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Variations

  • Swap chicken breasts with boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders. Note that cooking time may change.
  • Sometimes I like to whip up a quick homemade ranch dressing, it takes just 5 minutes! Your favorite store bought brand works, too.
  • For extra spice, replace green chiles with jalapeños.
  • Replace cheddar cheese with Pepper Jack, Colby, or Monterey Jack.
  • Omit green onions if preferred.

Storing

  • Keep on warm: If you’re serving a crowd that’s not quite ready to eat yet, you can keep crockpot crack chicken warm in the slow cooker for a little while.
  • Store: Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container, and once completely cooled, store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to a month.
  • Reheat: The easiest way to reheat it is in the microwave. If you are reheating a larger portion, you can toss it back in the slow cooker if you’d like.