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Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is the ultimate comfort food. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, it’s topped with melted cheddar and crispy bacon for a truly delicious and indulgent meal. What’s more, it is also low-carb and keto-friendly.
If you don’t have a slow cooker, grab my recipe for baked crack chicken breasts, or this instant pot crack chicken. For more delicious low carb crock pot recipes, try my crock pot chicken marsala and this tender and juicy slow cooker chicken breast.
I’ll never get tired of saying this: my slow cooker is a gem! The sheer simplicity of tossing ingredients in, setting the timer, and then carrying on with my day is something I absolutely cherish. And let me tell you about this crockpot crack chicken – it’s a total game-changer! This chicken dish is nothing short of spectacular. And with the convenience of the slow cooker, it’s not just a treat for your taste buds – it’s also ridiculously easy to make.
Why I Love This Crack Chicken Recipe
- Flavorful: The trio of ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and bacon guarantees a mouthwatering and addictive meal.
- Easy: Much like Mississippi chicken, all you’ll need to do is toss your ingredients in the slow cooker, set it, and come home to a cooked meal.
- Versatile: From sandwiches to pasta, chicken cobbler, wraps, and more, this crack chicken in the crock pot lets you enjoy it in various ways.
- Low Carb Indulgence: Creamy and indulgent, yet low-carb and Keto-friendly, slow cooker crack chicken caters to various dietary preferences.
What Is Crack Chicken?
Crack chicken and its variants are the current rage in the foodie circles. From pork to pasta, these ‘crack’ dishes spotlight three ingredients: Ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and bacon. It’s this trifecta that makes every meal irresistibly addictive.
Ingredients You Will Need
This crack chicken crock pot recipe is a breeze to make with just a handful of pantry staples and basic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this creamy chicken dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth: It can be substituted with regular chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix: This is a blend of herbs you can buy at any grocery store. As a substitute, a mix of dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley can mimic the ranch flavor.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: You can substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
- Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess and richness to the dish. It melts into the chicken, creating a smooth texture. Neufchâtel cheese can be used as a substitute.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Half of the cheese is mixed into the chicken, and the rest is used as a topping. You can substitute with other shredded cheeses like Monterey Jack or Colby for a milder taste.
- Bacon: Adds a smoky, crispy touch to this slow cooker crack chicken recipe.
- Chopped Green Onions: Used for serving. Chives or sliced red onions can also be used.
- Chopped Fresh Parsley: You could also use cilantro or dill for garnish.
What if I Don’t Have Ranch Seasoning Mix?
If you don’t have ranch seasoning mix, you can easily make your own right at home. All you have to do is combine ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried dill weed, ½ teaspoon dried chives, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Tadah, now you have your very own ranch seasoning mix!
How to Make Crack Chicken in the Slow Cooker
If you’re looking for delicious low carb crock pot recipes, this crockpot crack chicken is a must-try! It’s easy to make and packed with Ranch flavor. Follow these simple steps to create a savory dish that everyone will love.
- Prep: Pour chicken broth into your slow cooker and stir in the ranch seasoning mix. Add chicken breasts to the slow cooker and stir around to coat the chicken.
- Slow Cook: Cover with the lid and set on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.
- Shred: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the lid and shred the chicken in the slow cooker using two forks. Use shredder claws, if you can – it’s much easier.
- Cheese: Stir in the cream cheese and 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and combined.
- Top: Top your crack chicken with remaining cheddar cheese and chopped bacon.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and parsley, and serve.
Serving Ideas
I love to serve shredded crack chicken on a sandwich. Give it to me on a seeded and toasted bun all day, and I’ll be happy. You can use it to top your favorite pasta or zoodles. In a wrap or lettuce cup. Serve it over rice, quinoa, or riced cauliflower. On top of a baked potato or mashed potatoes. On top of a BBQ chicken pizza! Or simply eat it straight up as a dip with tortilla chips or veggies like you would with a Buffalo chicken dip.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge & Freezer. Allow the chicken to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in your refrigerator for about 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat. To reheat, simmer the chicken over medium-low heat until heated through. Add chicken broth, if needed, to thin it out.
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
- Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken Tacos
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
- Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin
- Slow Cooker Chicken Breast
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Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Ingredients
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 block (8-ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature, cut up into 4 pieces for easier melting
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 6 slices bacon, cooked to a crisp and chopped
- chopped green onions, for serving
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour chicken broth into the slow cooker and stir in the ranch seasoning mix.
- Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker and stir around to coat the chicken.
- Cover with the lid and set the slow cooker on LOW for 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.
- When done, remove the lid and shred the chicken inside the slow cooker using two forks or shredding claws.
- Stir in the cream cheese and 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese; stir until completely melted and combined.
- Top with remaining cheddar cheese; cover with the lid and let the cheese melt.
- Remove the lid and sprinkle chopped bacon on top.
- Garnish with green onions and parsley.
- Serve in sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and/or lettuce cups.
Notes
- DIY Ranch: You can make your own ranch seasoning mix by combining ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried dill weed, ½ teaspoon dried chives, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Net Carbs: 4 g
- Storage: Keep the chicken stored in an airtight container and in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Made this tonight with frozen chicken breasts. I set the crockpot for 2 hours on high. The chicken before shredding was super tender and just fell apart, but there wasn’t any liquid left in the crockpot. Should there have been? Even after adding a bit more broth, I ended up with something that resembled still-sticky bread dough. It was still good. But the texture didn’t seem right. Since I never made this before I wasn’t sure.
I have made this recipe multiple times and I have tried different spicy seasonings and it turns out delicious every time! I love having leftovers and look toward to this one specifically throughout the week!
Holy Smokes! Do I love this? YES!
Can one use pancetta or bacon lardons in place of bacon?
Yeah, those are great substitutes.
If I want to add pasta noodles to this recipe, do I need to cook the noodles separately or can I dump everything in at once?
Hi!
I have not tested this recipe with pasta, but speaking from experience, you can use slow cookers to make pasta as long as you don’t leave it sitting in the slow cooker for an extended period of time. Doing so will result in pasta that is mushy and soggy. Depending on the type of pasta and the temperature of your slow cooker, it generally takes about 20 to 30 minutes to cook on a Low setting.
It was totally amazing!! I highly recommend, and will make again and again for sure! We ate it on roasted potatoes but I can see how you can make it a hot dip for parties, Or sandwiches yum yum!!
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
This came out better than I thought it would. I took some liberties with seasoning the chicken before putting in the crocpot, but other than that stayed true to the recipe. Put over mashed potatoes with broccoli. It was a hit.
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Can you use frozen chicken?
Yes, that works, too.
Best crockpot chicken ever ! Can’t stop making it !
Delicious. First time but not last. Thank you
How much juice do you drain?? Thanks
Hi! Not sure what juices you are referring to?
When the chicken is cooked and it’s time to shred do you discard the liquid in the pot.
Hi!
No, that liquid will help smooth out the cream cheese and cheese that you’ll stir in, making the dish creamier.