This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is comfort food in every single bite. The cream cheese blended with the ranch and bacon make this one unforgettable recipe.
Crack Chicken is an addicting, Keto friendly meal. This crockpot crack chicken recipe is perfect to serve for game day parties and more. It is one of our favorite Boneless skinless chicken crockpot recipes.
If you have an Instant Pot and prefer cooking with that over your crock pot. Make Instant Pot Crack Chicken Recipe for a quick and easy chicken recipe. This cheesy shredded ranch chicken and creamy texture is perfect to serve with hamburger buns or over rice.
You might also like our Crock Pot Crack Chicken Soup, Crack Potatoes Recipe, Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe, Crack Chicken Sliders, and Crack Dip Recipe.
Table of Contents
What is Crack Chicken?
Crack Chicken Crock Pot Recipe combines delicious boneless skinless chicken breast, cream cheese, ranch and bacon. This makes a mixture so tasty that you will not be able to eat just one sandwich.
Crack Chicken is one of our most popular recipes and can be made in many different ways.
Recipe Ingredients:
- Boneless Chicken Breasts
- Cream Cheese
- Ranch Dressing Mix
- Bacon
- Cheddar Cheese
- Buns
For more details about the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card.
Substitutions and Additions:
- Change Chicken – Change the chicken to boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders for an easy variations.
- Bacon – Cook your bacon in the Oven or top with real bacon bits.
- Seasoning – You can add a teaspoon garlic powder to the cheese and bacon if you prefer. Feel free to add in fresh herbs such as dill, parsley or chives.
- Cheese Variations – Feel free to use different types of cheese. You can add in sharp cheddar cheese or shredded pepper jack cheese.
How to make Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Step 1 – Combine the chicken, homemade ranch seasoning mix, cooked and crumbled bacon and cook.
Step 2 – Once the chicken is cooked, shred it. I use 2 forks and it is fast and easy.
Step 3 – Stir in the cream cheese. Put the crock pot lid on again. Then cook for another 30 minutes so the cream cheese can melt.
Step 4 – Sprinkle with the salt and pepper, shredded cheese and green onions. Then it is ready to serve.
What to Serve with Crack Chicken?
Our favorite way to eat crack chicken is served on buns. It is so easy and everyone loves eating it sandwich style. More ideas include:
- Tortillas
- Hawaiian Roll
- Serve over pasta.
- Sliders
- Lettuce Wraps
Just use whatever you prefer. We like trying different things so we can enjoy this tasty Crack Chicken more ways. The kids never get tired of this recipe if I switch it up and use different ways to serve it.
Side dish ideas:
With my large family, we like to keep it simple when I serve this rich and hearty crack chicken. You can easily serve with a side of steamed broccoli, cauliflower rice, or an easy spinach salad.
When I am serving for a game day party. We always have a side of Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe or a Classic Italian Pasta Salad Recipe.
These are just a few of our favorites to enjoy with crack chicken sandwiches. But we have all had those crazy days where it was potato chips all around.
Expert Tips
- Thickening Texture – If the mixture is too thick, add a little chicken broth.
- Cook Once, Eat Twice – Serve leftovers a different way and your family will think it is a new meal.
- Shred Cheese – We recommend shredding cheese from hunk cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has added ingredients and may not taste or melt as well.
- Spray Bottom of the Slow Cooker – If you have problems with chicken sticking, you may need to spray nonstick cooking spray. This helps for cleanup and serving the crack chicken.
- Cook on Low – I like to cook on low as it helps to keep the chicken from drying out.
- Cream Cheese – To help with the cream cheese melting, dice the cream cheese before placing in the slow cooker.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
This crack chicken is great leftover and makes for a delicious lunch the next day. Place the leftovers in an airtight container and place in the fridge.
When you are ready to enjoy, reheat leftovers in the microwave in 1 minute intervals.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Shredding chicken can be done by using forks or a stand mixer. Using a stand mixer or a hand held mixer to shred your chicken saves time. The chicken comes out perfectly shredded.
This is the perfect recipe to double to enjoy again. We like to double and freeze it for a quick weeknight meal.
Yes! Freeze mixture in freezer bags and you will have a super quick meal. Place in the freezer and it will last up to 3 months is stored properly.
You can add ½ cup to 1 cup of chicken broth.
Fortunately, you can now easily find dairy free cream cheese and dairy free cheese that you can use to make dairy free crack chicken.
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes:
- Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe
- Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken Recipe
- Crockpot Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
If you have tried Slow Cooker Crack Chicken, make sure to leave a comment!
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- 8 oz cream Cheese (block)
- 1 dry ranch dressing seasoning mix (1 oz packet)
- 6 strips bacon (cooked crisply and crumbled)
- 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/4 cup green onions (sliced)
- 6 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Add the chicken, bacon and ranch seasoning mix to at least a 6 quart crock pot.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Shred the chicken with 2 forks and stir in the cream cheese. Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes to melt the cream cheese.
- Top with the shredded cheddar cheese and green onions. Cover and cook on low for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Serve immediately on the buns and enjoy!
The nutritional information is for 1 serving and does include the hamburger bun in these numbers as well. Thanks.
I was wondering if the Nutrition Information listed at the bottom for the whole recipe or foot one serving, and if so how big is a serving. I am just asking because some of the nutrition amounts listed seem like a lot for just one serving.
chicken recipes
Yes, you can freeze the leftovers for up to 3-6 months.
I would cook for an hour longer if cooking on low or 30 minutes if cooking on high when using frozen chicken.
Easy and good over pasta and on buns! I used a copycat ranch dressing packet recipe and it worked well. Good meal for a gluten free guest (served over pasta made of brown rice & quinoa from Aldi). Thanks for another quick and simple (and yummy!) meal!
Thank you!
I love all your recipes
Can it be frozen after cooking?
When using frozen chicken, how much longer on low would you cook it?
Great crack chicken try this week
Thank you
Oh I love that idea. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing recipe…I added 1/2 block of extra cream cheese just because i wanted to use up the open package i had. To serve we made crack chicken quesadilla’s everyone loved them!!! Extra meat froze well too.
So easy and good plus affordable EVERYONE likes this!
Made Crack Chicken for the family and they LOVED it! Was so easy to throw in crock pot n make. Thank you!!
Made this to eat while watching football last Sunday. Super easy! Served it on hamburger rolls. Awaiting a new multi-cooker crockpot, can’t wait to try all these recipes all winter!
Such a quick and yet very tasty recipe! My picky eater husband and son loved it! Definitely a keeper! Thanks for a fabulous a tasty recipe!
I’m so glad you loved this. So glad your friend’s recommended it.
My kids love this! I have a lot of liquid after cooking the chicken. Should I drain it before adding the cream cheese?
Can’t wait to try this recipe. I keep a lot of ingredients on hand,so I might give it a try this weekend
I have made this but I added buffalo wing sauce. Tasted great in a burrito with some romaine and tomato.
I’ve never made crack chicken before but it sounds delicious and id like to try it!
I haven’t made this recipe yet, but I am looking forward to it. I think it would go great on hamburger buns or maybe even hogie buns.
I’ve seen this a few times but haven’t tried it yet. I think it would be great on pretzel buns. Maybe a broccoli salad on the side! Thanks for all the great recipes!
I have made this many times before and it’s delicious. We usually serve it on hamburger buns with French fries from the air fryer. An easy meal with minimal prep.
This looks amazing. Will be trying it soon.
I’ve never tried cracked chicken, but I’m going to very soon! Thanks for this recipe.
I love crack chicken, on sandwiches, on crackers, on chips, even on carrots is good! My husband and mom think it’s too bland! Huh??? I think their tastebuds are broken. LOL.
Have a great day!
I have never made this but it looks so good that I’m going to have to try it
I think this recipe would be very good over rice and I probably serve it with green beans
So easy and as my Grandson says it’s goodicious! He likes it on hamburger buns and I love it over rotini pasta.
I haven’t made this yet but it looks amazing!! I would serve on hamburger or kaiser buns for sure!! Side dish I would make a vinaigrette slaw
Would try Crack Chicken with mashed potatoes.
Yes, you can cook this in the Instant pot. We do have an instant pot recipe you can check out. https://www.eatingonadime.com/instant-pot-crack-chicken-recipe/
For some reason I’ve yet to make this but that needs to change. I think I’d put it on rice or baked potatoes maybe as well?
My family loves this! Especially the 14 yr old! He wants me to make it all the time.
Can this be cooked in instant pot? On the slow cooking there’s no liquid added? Can the chicken be cooked frozen? I need all the help. Thank you
Sounds so good. I was thinking to put it over rice adding a side of string beansand sliced tomatoes on lettuce while still in season
Both beans and tomatoes will help cut calories I expect to get from cheeses. Can’t wait to try your way and mine.
This is so frickin delicious. I love the simplicity of this recipe and its ingredients most people always have on hand. I actually put this on pretzel rolls that were toasted with a bit of garlic aioli on the bun and topped with homemade coleslaw and some crispy fried onions. So good, I highly recommend you make this tonight!
I gave it a 5 star for the look of the dish, the fact that it sounds wonderful and I am definitely going to make this recipe! Yes, I would eat this on a bun and I am sure this recipe is worthy of the 5 star rating I gave it. I am also thinking it would be good for a tailgating night! If it is anything other than a 5 star review I will come back and revise my original post….If I do not revise it, you will know this recipe is even better than a 5 star!!!
I’ve made crack chicken before always in the croc pot I usually serve it with a salad. I’ve never added bacon can’t wait to try it!
This is one of our favorites! We love it as is or on buns either way. If serving on buns we add fries. As is with steamed broccoli.
I will definitely try the crack chicken recipe this week with a salad of greens. Perfect for a soccer practice evening.
My daughter made this and I really didn’t care for the taste. They loved it though.
I love everything about this recipe, all the ingredients make a perfect blend of flavor for a beautiful dish with so many options! There is o my to-do list for the week. Since I live alone, I don’t always feel like cooking a meal which means not eating healthy. I will be making a double batch because it is so versatile.
First, I want to try “Crack Chicken” on a hamburger bun with a side of purple sweet potato fries and a tomato salad. I want to make stuffed pasta shells using the “Crack Chicken”, which can be served with sauce for a meal or without a sauce that you can use for a snack or a meal starter. After tasting the Crack Chicken, I know I will go wild with even more ways to use it. My plan is to package individual meals in containers for the freezer for ready-to-use! balance meals.
Love this go to recipe for any occasion! Everyone is always happy to hear this is what’s for dinner! You can serve it on anything or eat it alone!
This was so good. My family loved it. Much better than my shredded chicken sandwiches.
Winner, winner… Chicken dinner!!! My picky 6 year old ate this like it was candy!! He even asked for seconds! Thank you!
Really looks good – I think I would offer hamburger buns, slider buns, crackers, and chips as options for eating this.
Looks addicting – great for a tailgate!
I am planning on making this next week, either with potato rolls or hamburger buns with chips or a salad as a side!
I serve it with white rice or egg noodles!
I will plan on making this but using cream of chicken instead of cream cheese. I am allergic to both cream cheese and sour cream. I did make the whilte bean chili over weekend and family loved it.
Love this cracked chicken recipe ! Easy and delicious ,served on Hawaiian buns and chips on the side . Great camping recipe !!
I’ve never made this before, but it sure looks tasty! While it looks great as a sandwich, this looks like something that could easily be served over nachos or pasta!
YES, I MADE CRACK POT CHICKEN
I WOULD NOT EAT ON A BUN.
I’D SERVICE IT OR EAT IT WITH NACHOS, EXTRA CHEESE AND HOT TACO SAUCE.
I’m haven’t made it before
I bet this dish makes the angels sing. I think I’d like to try this over tater tots (or maybe french fries) or something crazy like that.
I have not tried crack chicken yet, but looking forward to having it over pasta.
Looks delicious! I’ll be making it this week. I think we’ll have it with homemade rolls and veggies from the garden.
This looks so good! Cant wait to try it!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I plan on severing it over rice with broccoli.
I’ve not made this before, but it sounds really good. I think I would like to try it on a spinach “tortilla.” Thanks for the recipe.
Love this recipe and would definitely make for the Grandkids. They ove anything with bacon in it . I think I would serve it on buns for them, but. I would like it on pasta. Thanks!
Absolutely delicious, couldn’t be easier
Family loved it !!!!
Highly recommend
Oh this looks GOOD! I often have family eating at different times due to classes and activities, this would be wonderful to have a green salad with, of course I’d serve on the buns. Adding this to the menu this week!
Looks very good something I will be fixing when I get all the ingredients
I luv the idea of making this into sandwiches! I think I would luv that! I wonder what it would be like on a bed of spring mix with tomatoes and cucumbers? I guess I will have to make it and find out! But it must rock on a bed of pasta as well…I can’t wait to try this! Thank you for such a versatile recipe! I guess I need to start my next grocery list now!
Can’t wait to try this out. Looks so good!
Will try this next week, over pasta served along with slaw.
Looks and sounds so delicious!! I will be making this for my family this week! Thanks so much for sharing.
Yum!! Can’t wait to try this. My family loves other crack chicken recipes we’ve tried but we’ve never had it on hamburger buns! My boys will love this!
It looks wonderful, I would serve cold pasta salad with it
I keep seeing this recipe and cannot wait to try it. All printed out and ready!!
I haven’t tried this yet but plan to & I think it would be great on hamburger buns & I would probably serve broccoli or green beans with it.
I had a recipe like this, but I lost it. This was amazing!
Thank you!
Sounds like a great meal for next week. I like the idea of on the buns and think we’ll try it that way!
Can’t wait to try this recipe! I love that there’s just a few ingredients! Could it be served with tortilla chips too? More like a dip? Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Omg so good! I like adding extra cooked bacon and a bit more ranch at the end of cooking too. Following recipe as is you can use a lettuce leaf or two as a bun! Amazing flavors in the minimum time & ingredients
No I have not made this yet, but I look forward to trying it.
This recipe is so good whether on a bun, a wrap or just by itself! Delicious! Thanks Carrie!
This looks great! I can hardly wait to try it. I think serving on a bun with sweet potato fries and coleslaw is on my menu this week. Thank you.
Yummy ?
People at work recommend this recipe. They were right on…..delicious!
I have made this and it is super easy!
It makes a great sandwich on a bun too!
Serve it up with broccoli and a side salad. Fries and coleslaw go great with the sandwich too!
I’ve made this recipe several times but I put the cream cheese in at the beginning. Works ok for me. My friend likes it in a bun but I prefer it over rice. I never thought I’d like it but it’s tasty! Leftovers are good too if it gets too thick I just add a little broth.
Yum, I love making crack chicken! I usually serve it on hamburger buns, but after reading the suggestions in the blog post I think I’ll try it on Hawaiian rolls next time!
This recipe is so good. It is a keeper.
Very tasty and easy to make full of flavor. Did use all ranch dressing that it was called for though.
Made this weekend and absolutely loved it!! Had it on buns and it was delicious!! I put the leftovers in the freezer to definitely have again!! Great flavor and very good
I haven’t tried this yet, but I plan to do so very soon. Will probably serve buns as an option. (Everyone in my family likes something different!)
Delicious!!! It’s an easy meal to put together!!!
Oh we love crack chicken! I haven’t made this in a while so I’m adding it to the list this week. I use Hawaiian rolls and serve it sandwich style. Delicious
Looks fabulous, I will be cooking that next week!
On hamburger buns sounds amazing.
I’ve not heard of crack chicken before and had it for the first time at my daughter’s. My grandson requested it and had it over baked potatoes and it was very good.
Yes i would eat it on hamburger buns!
This recipe looks so yummy ?, I have never adequate it before, but I would definitely serve it on a nice brioche bun with some chips and macaroni salad.on the side! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes ?
I’ve never had crack chicken before so really looking forward to trying this. Love your recipes.
Yes… I love this recipe.
We usually serve it was warmed flour tortillas or chips and use the chicken as a “dip” – it’s delish anyway you eat it ?
This looks good. Cooking it tomorrow.
I think it would be great over tortilla chips
We have made this recipe and made sandwiches out of it. But my husband LOVES the crack chicken pasta!
I have not tried tenderloins, but you can. I would reduce the cooking time an hour. Come back and let us know how it turns out. Thank you!
I want to use tenderloins instead of chicken breasts, have you ever done this? And if so, did you cut back on cooking time as well as the sizing of your ingredients? 🙂
Love your recipes
This was fantastic. I had potato rolls on hand and with the recipe it was great. My chicken was a little dry so next time I will cut down the timing a little., but the flavors were out of this world. First time I have used ranch seasonings in a recipe. This recipe has now been taped to one of my kitchen cabinets (where the best recipes are). I will make this again and again. Thanks.
Loved this recipe and so did the fam! I have taken to friends as well because it is a great, hearty, easily prepared meal that goes over well!
This is so creamy and good. I did add more ranch than what it called for
This one of the best recipes for an easy meal that goes with just about anything.
Not my favorite recipe for chicken sandwiches. Easy and flavorful, but I am not a fan of the crack chicken in any of it’s forms.
This is one of our favorite recipes! It is so good! We have even taken it straight out of the fridge (from leftovers) & eaten it cold on sandwiches.
Definitely a good one!! Made it too much!! I liked adding different things to it and trying it different ways! So good with jalapenos and onions!
Charlotte – either way works great as long as you use pre-cooked bacon. Thanks
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Let us know how it is with the Miracle Whip as well – I haven’t tried that yet!
Just a little confused. Your direction say to add the bacon at the beginning and later say to put the bacon in at the end. Which is it?
Omg!!! The cream cheese and bacon together are fabulous!! Scallions give it an extra kick. Next time I may throw in a little Miracle Whip to see if it gives it even more zip……
Pam – I wait to put the cream cheese in the crock pot towards the end of cooking time now. A lot of crock pots run hotter so the cream cheese can curdle if you you put it in at the beginning of the cook time.
The small video at the top shows chicken, ranch dressing & cream cheese going in crock pot. The written directions say chicken, bacon, & ranch. The pictures at the bottom seem to show chicken, bacon & ranch. Which is the best way? Thanks. Ps every recipe I’ve made from your site has been a huge hit!!
Cook first – then freeze, correct? I make up freezer meals for my college student and he would love this!
Thank you Leslie! I’m glad you enjoy it!
I’m so glad you enjoyed Cathy – Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Pearle – I love the idea of adding hot sauce. I bet that is delicious and I’m so glad you are enjoying the club. Thank you for sharing.
Crack chicken is a staple in our house! We usually serve it over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps to keep it low carb. Sometimes I add hot sauce to spice it up a bit. I’ve been a Lazy Day Cooking Club member for over a year now. Your recipes are easy to prepare and delicious! I highly recommend the Club!
This was so good!!!! My whole family loved it and cant wait to make it again!!
I love your recipes! This crack chicken is so yummy. Any recipe with chicken is a big hit with us!
So simple, decadent and delicious! Great on a nice sandwich roll or even on crunchy veggies for a lighter option. New staple for us
We like to serve this over mashed potatoes in place of sandwiches.
If I double the amount of chicken, should I also double cream cheese, ranch, etc? Double the time? Thanknyou
Can you use a pork roast instead if chicken for this recipe?
Can you use frozen chicken breast with this recipe? I like to cook a bag of frozen chicken breast in the crock pot so wondering if I can add the ingredients too.
Gonna give this a try Friday…tonight I am making Chicken Noodle Soup from Scratch…I make about 19 quarts and freeze most of them…unless I tell my friends and family I am making it,.,then maybe 12 quarts get froze.