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Crockpot Crack Chicken

Shredded chicken added to a ranch flavored creamy sauce with bacon and cheese; one bite and you’ll be hooked on Crockpot Crack Chicken!

crack chicken on slider bun

Crack Chicken Crock Pot Recipe

Crockpot Crack Chicken is going to be the most popular party food you have ever made! I made this for a work party one time and had to print out 20 copies of the recipe before the party was over because everyone wanted it!

There is a little bit of everything in this shredded chicken slow cooker recipe, and you can serve it so many different ways! I have even eaten the leftovers cold straight out of the fridge and it is was still amazing.

Who doesn’t love anything the classic combination of cream cheese with ranch, and bacon, all mixed together for a little bit of everything in each bite? It s a family favorite in our house.

Another great reason folks love this one is you can keep it keto friendly by serving it with vegetables as a dip or just eat it with a fork.

If you’re pressed for time use a rotisserie chicken and shred the meat and then add everything else into your crockpot and follow the directions.

My personal favorite way to shred the chicken after cooking it is to use my mixer, a hand mixer or stand mixer will work, just throw all the cooked chicken in the bowl and slowly start to “beat” it until it is all shredded.

It is much faster and easier, especially if you double this crack chicken recipe. Use any leftovers in this chicken tetrazzini recipe!

Why do they call it Crack Chicken?

Well, this one gets a few people so you can call it whatever you want (loaded chicken, totally amazing chicken), but it is because one bite and you’re addicted and can’t stop eating it!

You have delicious shredded chicken with the zing and creaminess of ranch dressing/dip, add in the salty crunch of bacon pieces, and the stringy melted cheese, and don’t forget the crisp green onions; you have everything delicious all in one pot, and you get a little in each bite you take.

I have never seen anyone able to stop at one bite or one slider, they always reach for more!

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labeled picture of ingredients for crack chicken

Ingredients Needed

Chicken – You can start from scratch with raw boneless skinless chicken breast or you can use previously cooked chicken. If I am in a hurry, I like to use a rotisserie chicken and it just takes minutes after you get started.

Ranch Seasoning – You can use a packet of ranch dressing mix or make your own. I have a dip mix recipe right here!

Cream Cheese – Everything that is tasty has cream cheese in it! Don’t you agree?

Cheddar Cheese – This is the classic flavor combo but don’t be afraid to switch up your cheese with mozzarella or even pepper jack!

Broth – You can use water if you don’t have any on hand!

Bacon – It’s best to use real cooked bacon and not the fake bacon bits. They even have real bacon crumbles which will work well too as it is real bacon.

For more insider tips & tricks, and a candid behind the scenes look follow me on social media! Check use out on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (yes, people still use Twitter, LOL!)

How to make Crack Chicken in a Crock Pot

First: Place chicken and sprinkle the ranch packet in a single layer on top of the chicken breasts in the crock pot. Pour broth over chicken.

Second: Add cream cheese. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.

Third: Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred. Add back to the crockpot.

Fourth: Sprinkle with cheese and bacon (remaining ingredients). Cover and cook an additional few minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Fifth: Garnish the chicken mixture with more bacon and green onions. Serve as a dip or on slider buns (I love this on Hawaiian rolls.)

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

cheese in a crock pot
cover with cheese

Can you put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can absolutely put raw chicken in a slow cooker, you just want to make sure to cook it long enough that it is cooked all the way through.

If you are worried about it not getting up to temperature fast enough I would suggest cooking on High for the shorter amount of time, but either is safe.

cooked crack chicken in a crock pot

Can I use bacon bits instead of cooking bacon?

I would not recommend bacon bits, the hard tiny pieces of bright red that don’t need refrigeration, they taste very fake.

If you can’t or don’t want to cook your own bacon I would get the bacon pieces that require refrigeration after opening, but they still are not as good as cooking bacon.

Can I make this on the stove top?

If you are going to make Crack Chicken on the stove top I would suggest cooking the chicken first. Then adding the additional ingredients to a deep skillet and cooking over low to medium heat until everything is heated through and melted and able to be stirred easily to mix.

slider and fries

Is this keto friendly

Check your ranch mix to make sure it meets your keto recommendations and then yes, you can easily keep this keto friendly by serving it as a dip with vegetables or eating with a fork instead of as a sandwich. It is definitely low carb!

How to store it

Crockpot Crack Chicken leftovers, if there are any, should be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days.

It will be quite thick so stir the creamy chicken well before serving again. Reheating can be done in the microwave or on the stove top.

What do you eat Crack Chicken with?

This addicting Crack Crockpot Chicken is excellent as a dip with crackers or vegetables, stuff a lettuce wrap, serve on crusty slices of bread, as a slider sandwich or regular sandwich between two hamburger buns, or you can eat it with a fork.

It is also a great baked potato topping if you are really feeling adventurous. I love to put Crack Chicken on a pretzel bun for a delicious sandwich.

overhead sliders

Tapas Tips & Tricks

  • use boneless, skinless chicken breasts to keep this crack dip from being greasy!
  • do not over cook or the chicken will get tough.
  • this works well in an instant pot too!
  • cube the room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing
  • try different cheeses for more flavor combinations.
  • if you use precooked chicken you will need to adjust the cooking time.
  • use real bacon if possible as bacon bits have an artificial taste.
  • make this for sliders or as a dip
  • this recipe is easily doubled!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

sliders with text "crockpot crack chicken"

You definitely want to bookmark this great recipe, save this one to Pinterest (use that image right above this and pin it straight to your MUST TRY board!), print it out immediately and make it for your next family game night or gathering with friends. You might want to go ahead and double this crock pot crack chicken for more than six people. It’s an easy meal, and it goes really fast!

crockpot chicken

Crockpot Crack Chicken

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Shredded chicken added to a ranch flavored creamy sauce with bacon and cheese; one bite and you'll be hooked on Crockpot Crack Chicken!

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 2 packets (1 oz each) dry ranch seasoning or homemade
  • 2 blocks (8 oz each) cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 cup bacon (cooked, crumbled)
  • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
  • Buns for serving
  • Green onions for garnish

Instructions

    1. Spray crockpot bowl with nonstick spray.
    2. Trim chicken if necessary and place in a single layer in the bottom of the crockpot.
    3. Pour chicken broth over chicken.
    4. Sprinkle with ranch seasoning.
    5. Cut cream cheese into chunks and place on top of chicken.
    6. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
    7. Remove chicken from crockpot and shred using two forks or a hand mixer.
    8. Return chicken to crock pot and stir in bacon.
    9. Sprinkle cheese evenly and cover until cheese is melted.
    10. Serve with buns, or rice and garnish with green onions if you like. Enjoy!

Notes

  • use boneless, skinless chicken breasts to keep this crack dip from being greasy!
  • do not over cook or the chicken will get tough.
  • this works well in an instant pot too!
  • cube the room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing
  • try different cheeses for more flavor combinations.
  • if you use precooked chicken you will need to adjust the cooking time.
  • use real bacon if possible as bacon bits have an artificial taste.
  • make this for sliders or as a dip
  • this recipe is easily doubled!
  • Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 504Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 179mgSodium: 1150mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 59g

    This nutrition information was generated via a third party. I can not be held liable for any discrepancies in the information provided.

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    Heather

    Thursday 13th of April 2023

    I’m using store bought cold rotisserie chicken, I’m going to shred it…how does this change your directions?

    Jennifer Stewart

    Thursday 13th of April 2023

    I think it will work. I would recommend adding the cold rotisserie chicken to the slow cooker along with the water, ranch, and top with cream cheese. Cook on low for 1 hour. Then proceed as you would with the remainder of the recipe.

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