This crack chicken is creamy ranch flavored chicken that’s cooked in the crock pot until tender. A super easy slow cooker recipe that only contains 3 ingredients.
I make a lot of slow cooker dinners like apricot chicken, beef stroganoff and sloppy joes, but this crack chicken has to be one of our all time favorites. It takes just 5 minutes of prep time and the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
Today we’re talking about crack chicken. You’re probably wondering where it got that unusual name, and the reasoning is, this chicken is so good it’s addictive! You won’t even believe how easy it is to make, simply throw the ingredients in the crock pot and come back later to a delicious meal.
How do you make crack chicken?
This crack chicken has just 3 ingredients – boneless skinless chicken breasts, ranch powder, and cream cheese. Everything goes into the slow cooker and simmers away until the chicken is tender enough to shred into bite sized pieces.
You may be tempted to add some liquid to your crack chicken, but additional liquid is not necessary because the chicken will release juices as it cooks.
Tips for crack chicken
- You can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast if you prefer.
- Do not use low fat cream cheese, it won’t melt as well as regular cream cheese.
- You can use flavored cream cheese, such as jalapeno or garlic and herb cream cheese, for an extra level of flavor.
How do you shred chicken?
After your chicken is done, simply grab two forks, shred your meat and mix everything together, and dinner is ready! You can serve this crack chicken as-is, but I highly recommend adding a topping of crispy bacon and sliced green onions.
How do you eat crack chicken?
There are so many different ways to eat crack chicken, it’s great in the following preparations
- Piled onto buns
- Served over pasta
- As a pizza topping
- In lettuce wraps
- In a casserole
The most common way to eat crack chicken is in sandwich form. I pile the chicken onto brioche buns and add a slice of cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions for a satisfying meal.
You can add other toppings to your crack chicken to mix things up a bit, some of my favorites are
- Diced tomatoes
- Green chiles
- French fried onions
- Red onion
- Sauteed mushrooms
However you serve your crack chicken, it’s sure to be a big hit! Admittedly this is not the most beautiful dish, but what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in flavor. Your family will certainly agree.
More easy chicken dinners
- Chicken Ranch Tacos
- Monterey Chicken
- Buffalo Chicken Tacos
- Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Crack Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 ounce packet ranch seasoning
- 16 ounces cream cheese cut into cubes
- cooked crumbled bacon and green onions for serving optional
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts, ranch seasoning and cream cheese in a slow cooker.
- Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours.
- Shred the chicken with two forks. Stir until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Serve, topped with bacon and green onions if desired.
We are having this delicious chicken for a work party. What would be good sides to have with this.
I typically serve it with buns to make sandwiches, other great options would be baked potato wedges or a green salad.
If I want to add more chicken, just say 2 maybe 3 more small chicken breast….do I need to add more cream cheese also??
Thanks
I think it should be fine to do without adding more cream cheese.
My husband was super dubious when he saw everything cooking. I got him to try one bite and his first words were “I’m annoyed how much I like this”
Thanks for the win!!!!
I’m planning on making this for a large group and want to triple the recipe. What is the best way to scale the recipe, and how should I adjust the cooking time?
You’ll need a larger crock pot, probably at least 6 quarts, and add one hour to the cooking time!
I have 2 packets of ranch dips mix… think that would work in place of the dressing mix?
Yes it’s the same thing!
Any idea how long I should cook if my chicken is frozen to start?
Add another hour!
Is this served warm or cold?
It’s best served warm!
I’m replacing the breast with 2packs of skinless boneless thighs about 12 thighs do I cook them longer than 4hours on high in crockpot ? Or the same amount of time ?
It’s the same amount of time!
I made this yesterday, I’ve made it several times. I just literally dump it all in to the crockpot, I don’t even cut up the cream cheese. It’ll cook on low from 7am-5pm so a long time. I do have my daughter stir it up around 3:30 and it just shreds with a wooden spoon because it’s been cooked so long. We love it. I just throw some shredded cheese on top of the bun.
I’v e also served it over rice, although it’s really stiff for rice, maybe some sour cream stirred in after would loosen it up.
What is the serving size in? Ounces, cups, grams?
The serving size is 1 chicken breast, about 1 cup.
approx. how many breasts is 2lbs?
About 6!
Can this recipe be made as a freezer meal? Tia
I think that would be fine, although I’ve never tried it that way!