Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe is an easy ‘dump and go’ slow cooker recipe that is so good you’ll be addicted to it! Ten minutes of prep with ingredients you probably already have and it has endless meal possibilities.
Hey, hey, it’s also a keto-friendly recipe! It’s filled with bacon, cheese, cream cheese, and ranch dressing mix.
My best friend Lisa shared this recipe years and years ago before I started blogging. It’s a staple in my house.
For more scrumptious recipes, fun projects, and exciting news subscribe to Call Me PMc
Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest
Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe
First things first…What is ‘CRACK CHICKEN’?
Crack Chicken is the name of the combination of chicken, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and bacon. These ingredients combined are so good ‘It’s addictive, you can’t stop eating it!’ (For those of you that want to slam me for naming it ‘crack’, when I titled this recipe, I didn’t even think about the drug. I only thought about the combination of ingredients that is known far and wide as ‘Crack Chicken’. I did not intentionally mean to offend anyone!)
There are variations of the recipe but the basic ingredients are the four noted above. Some people add cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onions, mayonnaise, etc.
I for one think chicken, cream cheese, ranch, and bacon has a really good flavor. However, to kick it up and make it even tastier I like to add a cheddar/Colby mix and mayonnaise. Now we’re talking!
Why is this so dang good?
There are a few reasons why Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe is so good
- Primarily, this is a ‘dump and go’ slow cooker recipe. I say primarily because you do not want to cook the bacon in a slow cooker. Hence, you will either need to cook the bacon, crumble it, then add it to the Crock-Pot at the end of the cooking process. Or, you can use store-bought bacon bits. While real bacon, cooked and crumbled is much better and cost a lot less per ounce, store-bought bacon bits save a lot of time.
- It’s Keto friendly.
- Get my favorite slow cooker here.
- As well, Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe is perfect by itself, it’s also great on a sandwich, in a tortilla, over nachos, as a dip, in quiche, on pizza, over pasta, rice, or potatoes, or on a lettuce wrap for another low carb option!
HOW DO YOU MAKE CRACK CHICKEN IN THE SLOW COOKER?
- Use skinless, boneless chicken breasts so you don’t have a lot of extra fat in the recipe. You can use skinless, boneless thighs.
- I use two packets of seasoning. Otherwise, to me, it was a bit bland.
- Add the mayonnaise and Colby cheddar cheese at the end and stir until melted. (I recommend this mayonnaise.)
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Can I cook Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe on the stove?
Simply brown the chicken in a skillet. Next, add the remaining ingredients and cook them all in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes. When the chicken is cooked through, shred it then follow the instructions in the original recipe.
Can I make Crock Pot Crack Chicken in an Instant Pot?
Yes, absolutely. Although I don’t have an Instant Pot I have friends that do. Check out Instant Pot Crack Chicken.
You can eat this by itself, on a bun, or in a tortilla wrap. I also made Bacon Chicken Ranch Sliders that are excellent.
I like to serve it with
- Mexican Kale Slaw
- Tex Mex Cole Slaw
- Vinegar Slaw
- Deconstructed Green Bean Bundles
- Orange Salad
- Wedge Salad
Can I freeze Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe?
This chicken recipe freezes well. Freeze it in an airtight container (<my favorite freezer containers) and let it thaw fully before reheating, you can definitely make this cooked chicken days ahead of time and store it in your freezer.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, absolutely. Chicken thighs have so much flavor.
Can I use frozen chicken?
The FDA does not recommend using frozen chicken in the slow cooker because of the length of time it takes to cook. If you do use frozen, check the internal temperature of the chicken breast with an instant-read thermometer. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Chicken breasts
- Ranch dressing seasoning store-bought or my homemade recipe
- Cream cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Colby/Cheddar cheese (or you can use just cheddar)
- Bacon
- Green onions
Stock up on boneless, skinless chicken breasts when they are on sale. There are plentiful chicken recipes on my site for boneless, skinless chicken.
You can use more than 2 pounds of chicken without changing the other ingredients and it’ll still be good. As well, you can double the recipe and it will still be good. It’s a very versatile recipe!
Also, you can omit mayonnaise if it’s not your thing. I like the tang mayo that gives this recipe but it’s good without it too.
Furthermore, if you don’t want it as creamy, you can half the cream cheese and keep the other ingredients the same.
What to serve with Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe
- Crispy Roast Potatoes
- ‘Baked’ Sweet Potato
- Napa Cabbage Ramen Slaw (Salad)
- Vinegar Based Slaw (wonderful with the creamy sauce of this chicken!)
- Best Cobb Salad for a crowd
- Green Goddess Salad
You can use the Chicken Bacon Ranch Chicken as a filling for these recipes.
While you’re here, check out these delicious slow cooker recipes!
- Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
- Crockpot Green Chile Chicken
- Slow Cooker Creamy Buffalo Chicken
- Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken
- Stove Top Cajun Butter Chicken Bites
- Copycat Cajun Cafe Bourbon Chicken Bites
-
- Slow Cooker Zesty Italian Chicken
-
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Slider
-
- Slow Cooker Creamy Buffalo Chicken
-
- Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Roast and Pepper Hoagie Sandwiches
-
- Healthy Slow Cooker Tex Mex Chicken Soup
-
- Hash Brown Slow Cooker Potato Soup
-
- Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
UPDATE 11-12-19: I read your comments and a lot of you thought the recipe as written is too salty. Therefore, I created a Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe so that you can control the salt in this recipe. You can substitute this homemade ranch seasoning for the packs listed below in the recipe. (3 tablespoons of this mix = 1 packet of store-bought seasoning mix) CLICK HERE FOR HOMEMADE RANCH SEASONING RECIPE
REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO Call Me Pmc Newsletter FOR FREE AND RECEIVE FRESH RECIPE NOTIFICATIONS DELIVERED INTO YOUR INBOX! You may also want to join my Facebook Group, Call Me Pmc- Easy Recipes.
Some of my most popular recipes are my pound cakes! In fact, I have a series where I have reviewed over 50 pound cake recipes! You can get all the recipes here.
-
- Old School Southern Butter Pound Cake
-
- Five Flavor Pound Cake
-
- Sour Cream Dark Chocolate Pound Cake
-
- Hummingbird Cake Pound Cake
-
- Woodford Reserve Pound Cake
-
- Fig Preserve Pound Cake
-
- Citrus Pound Cake
-
- Pineapple Upside Down Pound Cake
-
- Orange Creamsicle Pound Cake
-
- Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake
-
- Homemade Melted Vanilla Ice Cream Pound Cake
-
- Fresh Strawberry Pound Cake
Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe
Want to save recipes? Create an account or login & then you can use the “Save Recipe” button when viewing a recipe to save it to your Recipe Box. You can access your saved recipes on any device and generate a shopping list for recipes in your collections.
Save To Your Recipe BoxIngredients
- 3 to 4 medium chicken breasts boneless, skinless (about 2 pounds)
- 2 {1-ounce packages} Ranch dressing mix *SEE HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING RECIPE IF YOU WANT TO MAKE YOUR SEASONING AND CONTROL THE SALT.
- 8 ounces cream cheese cut into cubes
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 pound bacon cook and crumbled
- 2 cups Colby cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 to 3 tablespoons green onions sliced (optional ingredient)
- 2 tablespoons jalapenos diced (optional ingredient)
Instructions
- Crock Pot Crack Chicken Recipe - Slow Cooker, fast, easy, keto recipe. See 'what to serve with crack chicken' in the post above.
- Please read the post above as well as the comments if you have a question.
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Sprinkle ranch dressing mix and cream cheese over chicken.
- Cook on high 3 hours or low 5 to 6 hours.
- With 2 forks, shred chicken and stir. Stir in mayonnaise. Sprinkle cheese, bacon, green onions, and jalapenos over chicken. Serve on buns, lettuce leaves, or soft or crunchy tortilla shells
Nutrition
You can also find great recipes at Recipe Index or and Meal Plan Monday
This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Visit all my recommended products at Paula’s Picks on Amazon. Read my entire Privacy Policy here.
Duke says
I tried mine with duck breast and it came out nice. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe.
Andrea says
Hi Paula,
I’m going to make this dish for my family tonight. I will be using canned chicken for this. Hope it turns out as delicious as it looks in the pictures.
Paula says
Let me know how you like it. I make it at least once a month, it’s so versatile.
Tonya says
I made this tonight (omitting the jalapenos and onions) and it is soooo good! I added chives and its amazing!
Sharon Seiber says
Paula, Can I make this in my new casserole slow cooker? I love using it. Also if I use canned chicken, which I have, how much do you think?
Love this recipe!
Sharon
Paula says
Yes, you can add a couple large cans of chicken maybe even 3 cans. I like mine saucy so I would probably add 2 large cans.
Shonda Wilburn says
This was delicious but beyond delicious is ridiculously easy! That’s my kind of cooking. Substituted 2 packs of garlic parmesan wing seasoning, reduced sodium bacon bits, and sour cream. Served over baked potato with a fresh garden salad. Scrumptious. Thanks for the recipe. It’s a keeper. 👍🏽😉
Paula says
Ohhhhhh I love your substitute. I’ll try the garlic parm seasoning!
Brogan R says
Hi! I am making this for my family on Sunday and wanted to know what a good side dish would be? Thank you!
Paula says
I would do a green salad that’s lighter (https://www.callmepmc.com/black-eyed-pea-salad-stuffed-avocados/, https://www.callmepmc.com/broccoli-salad-recipe-call-me-pmc/, https://www.callmepmc.com/homemade-sriracha-thousand-island-dressing-wedge-salad/ or green vegetable (https://www.callmepmc.com/deconstructed-green-bean-bundles-casserole/)
Cate says
Can you sub the mayo? My child can’t eat it
Paula says
you can omit it without replacing anything or you can use sour cream or Greek yogurt
Susan says
Hi, fresh or pickled jalapeños? Thanks! Can’t wait to try this.
Paula says
I’ve used both. I prefer fresh but both are good.
Samantha says
I accidentally put the mayonnaise in with the cream cheese. Will it turn out good?
Star says
I’ve always made something similar to this, except using just chicken, fiesta ranch packets and cream cheese. Super delicious
Heather says
Hello,
Can you use canned chicken?
Paula says
yes
Richard says
Very simple but delicious and unique taste. I will try it now
Cynthia Gilbraith says
AMAZING on top of a baked potato!
Stan says
Bookmarked this recipe a couple of months ago and finally made it today. Holy smokes … I’ve never had crack but this chicken is incredibly delicious and favorful, and I believe it could be addictive. It was a little salty as others have mentioned but it wasn’t too salty for us. I didn’t add jalapenos to it this time but will the next. When I started to shred the chicken, I thought it was going to be soupy. But once I added the cheese, mayonnaise, and green onions, I kept the crock pot on low for about 10 more minutes, and it thickened up really nice and creamy. Again, holy smokes this is a great dish!!!! Need to check out some of your other recipes, too. I recently retired (although I got bored and am working part-time), so I spend a little more time on trying new recipes and ways to slow cook, bake, and grill. Thank you so much, Paula.
Paula says
Thank you so much for you kind words! Coincidently, I’m making this for dinner tonight. My family loves it too! You may enjoy some of these slow cooker chicken recipes too. https://www.callmepmc.com/12-slow-cooker-chicken-recipes-for-summer/
Kim says
Hi Paula,
I could not wait to try this since I loved your Hash Brown Potato Soup, and this recipe did not disappoint! It really is addictive, and there’s nothing I love more than a fix-it-and-forget-it meal. I’ll be making this over and over again for sure. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Paula says
So happy you like it!
Sarah says
Hi – I screwed up and cooked the chicken on “keep warm” instead of low for 5.5 hours. Typical Monday. Any idea how I could salvage our meal? 🤦🏻♀️
Thank you!
Paula says
If the chicken reached 165 degrees F it’ll be fine.
Wendi says
I have made this one other time before and it turned out so delicious! My husband and kids loved it as did I!! I am curious and thinking I want to add some crumbled Doritos chips to it. What’s your thoughts on that?
Paula says
I think it would be good. I did this chicken casserole with Doritos and it’s one of my fav. https://www.callmepmc.com/chicken-doritos-casserole-recipe/
I think I’d crumble them on top the last 10-15 minutes if you want them to remain crunchy.
Jilane Provino-Hurewitz says
Im late to the party, but plan to make this for our Halloween party, would it be good to use a a dip, meaning if I put scoop chips chips next to the crockpot. I was also thinking a basket of croissants. Thoughts?
Thanks!
Paula says
I love Scoops with it. Croissants will make amazing sandwiches with ot.
Danielle Evm says
I made it for dip this Halloween I slow cooked it all night then made the bacon and added the rest this morning. It’s so good and with a bunch of kids that like different things, they can use whatever they want to dip with. I’m so happy I made this today!
Caroline Dattilo says
I too thought, “doesnt it need liquid?” when I put the chicken, cream cheese and ranch seasoning together in the crockpot but I trusted the process and wow wow wow it was amazing. Laid a bed of boneless skinless chicken breasts (3 good sized ones) and glooped the cream cheese in three parts over the chicken, sprinkled just one packet of the ranch over all of it, turned the crock on high, put the lid on and 3 hours later followed the rest of the directions using prepackaged bacon bits, and monterayjack and cheddar shred. At first I was worried the amount of liquid after cooking would be too much but once I shredded the chicken it reabsorbed the juices and i ended up needing to add about a 1/4 cup of milk to loosen things up a little. My teenager stuffed a tortilla with it and I ate it over some Ritz crackers but I think it would have been most amazing over baked potatoes like another comment suggested. Thanks for posting the recipe! BTW…my kids and I joke about things being “crack” all the time so we like the name 😉 (was a lil salty but still soooo good) Thanks again, gave it 5 stars <3
Paula says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!!
Kalyn says
Would I be able to cut this recipe in half? Just cooking for two. If so, would I need to adjust cook time?
I can’t wait to try this! Trying to decide between serving it on croissants or pretzel buns 🙂
Paula says
Yes, you can cut in half. It’ll take a little less time but it really depends on the size of the chicken breast.
Jen says
Don’t apologize for the name for goodness sake. If adults can’t handle it then fine. This is a good little recipe. And we happily call it crack chicken.
Paula says
Thank you!!!
kristina duarte says
Right? People are really that sensitive to a name? Ridiculous!! Thank you for taking your time and talent for posting this recipe for us all to enjoy!
Ashlee says
I’m so excited to be making this for my family of 4 tonight. For my kids sake I will be serving over rice but next time want to try pasta and wraps. Thanks for sharing .
Francine Jacobson says
You can not beat this recipe!!!!
Rachel says
Thank you for this yummy, SIMPLE, and straight forward recipe. I’m newly married and have never been good at cooking but this was clear cut and straight forward. (Not to mention great taste). For those other commenters that seem upset about sodium content, and ingredients which are clearly marked with amounts etc… it sounds much more like a literacy problem or inability to follow directions. People need to stick to productive feedback, instead of inaccurate criticisms. I appreciate the new addition to my recipe portfolio so thank you Paula! Also I added corn and served over baked potatoes, it was delightful 👍🏼👍🏼
Paula says
Ohhhhhh that sounds really good! Thanks for commenting!
Raven says
I added corn, black beans & 1 cup mayo, 1/2 cup miracle whip. Only one pack ranch. Great!