Crockpot Crack Chicken

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

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.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Chicken: We’re using raw boneless skinless chicken breasts. Boneless skinless chicken thighs could be used or chicken tenders.
• Ranch dressing: I make a homemade ranch dressing in 5 minutes, but you can use your favorite store-bought brand. You can also use dry ranch seasoning mix.
• Cream cheese: Make sure to use softened cream cheese so that it doesn’t take too long to melt. Cut into cubes to make it a bit easier to spread around the slow cooker.
• Green chiles: A can of these flavorful chiles adds a spicy kick that cuts through the heavy cream cheese. If you love spice, you can use jalapenos.
• Cooked bacon: Cook the bacon in the oven so it’s ready to stir in at the end. I don’t recommend using bacon bits.
• Cheddar cheese: Freshly grated sharp cheddar is what I use for the best flavor and easy melting. Swap it for Pepper Jack, Colby or Monterey Jack if preferred.
• Green onions: These add a bit of pungency for flavor, but could be omitted.
• Salt & pepper: To season to taste! There is plenty of salt in the bacon, cheddar, and even the canned chiles, so be mindful of how much you are adding in.

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.

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.

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!

Serving Suggestions

There are plenty of easy ways to make this crockpot crack chicken work for your family, whether as an appetizer, a snack, or an entire meal.

• Keep it keto-friendly by using it as a dip for fresh veggies like carrot and celery sticks, raw broccoli, juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.
• You could make a lettuce wrap with it as a filling, or enjoy a tossed salad on the side.
• Most often, my kids love crack chicken sandwiches on a homemade hamburger bun or a croissant for a casual dinner or brunch.
• Turn it into a filling for a loaded baked potato or a topping on a plate of nachos. Sometimes we’ll have it over rice or mashed potatoes.

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.