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Home » Dinner » Crack Chicken

February 10, 2019 By Sara 37 Comments

Crack Chicken

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Crack Chicken Recipe | Bacon Ranch Chicken | Slow Cooker Chicken #chicken #ranch #bacon #cheese #slowcooker #crockpot #lowcarb #keto #dinner #dinneratthezoo

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.

Crack Chicken Recipe | Bacon Ranch Chicken | Slow Cooker Chicken #chicken #ranch #bacon #cheese #slowcooker #crockpot #lowcarb #keto #dinner #dinneratthezoo Crack Chicken Recipe | Bacon Ranch Chicken | Slow Cooker Chicken #chicken #ranch #bacon #cheese #slowcooker #crockpot #lowcarb #keto #dinner #dinneratthezoo

A crack chicken sandwich topped with cheese, bacon and green onions.

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.

Chicken breasts topped with ranch seasoning.

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.

Chicken breasts, cream cheese and ranch powder in the crock pot.

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.

A slow cooker full of shredded crack chicken topped with 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.

A bowl of crack chicken topped with bacon and green onions.

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
A crack chicken sandwich topped with cheese, bacon and green onions.
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5 from 9 votes

Crack Chicken

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.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crack chicken
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 430kcal
Author Sara Welch

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 179mg | Sodium: 418mg | Potassium: 663mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1060IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Filed Under: Dinner, Slow Cooker Tagged With: Bacon, Chicken, Low Carb, Ranch

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Comments

  1. Nicole says

    February 15, 2019 at 9:49 am

    This looks so amazing!! I cannot wait to get home and try this!

    Reply
  2. Becca Talbot says

    February 14, 2019 at 5:56 am

    I have never tried this before!! Sounds delicious – will have to give it a go x

    Reply
  3. Bella at Dear Mummy Blog says

    February 13, 2019 at 4:50 am

    Our slow cooker is such a lifesaver and we love the creamy ranch you’ve used in this dish!

    Reply
  4. Fatima Torres says

    February 12, 2019 at 10:14 pm

    I can imagine how great the kitchen would smell while making this dish. I love the combination of red onions.

    Reply
  5. Preet says

    February 12, 2019 at 5:06 pm

    Wow, I love this recipe it is so delicious and look so easy to prepare. I will def try to make this for the whole family.

    Reply
  6. Alexandra Cook says

    February 12, 2019 at 5:03 pm

    Wow, I have never tried to make a crack chicken and this recipe looks really delicious and easy. I will try to make this for my kids, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. John Mulindi says

    February 12, 2019 at 11:22 am

    This recipe is completely new one to me! can’t wait to try it. I like the name ”Crack Chicken”

    Reply
  8. Norafiqin says

    February 12, 2019 at 6:09 am

    I’ve never actually used the slow-cooker to cook anything and it looks like it’s time to start! I’ve just convinced the husband to get me one and i’m going to put it to good use.

    Reply
  9. Yeah Lifestyle says

    February 12, 2019 at 5:29 am

    5 stars
    Oh wow this crack chicken looks so good! I’m definitely going to be giving this a try – might not even share it, haha!

    Reply
  10. Jasemine Denise says

    February 12, 2019 at 4:51 am

    5 stars
    Crack chicken is so good, and this recipe is so ridiculously well done! 5 stars, most deinitely.

    Reply
  11. Georgiana Lohan says

    February 12, 2019 at 12:48 am

    5 stars
    Lovely! Now I am starving and I can`t wait to try this one!

    Reply
  12. Sam says

    February 11, 2019 at 11:43 pm

    5 stars
    We make chicken pretty often in the Instant Pot, but it’s been a while since we’ve done one in a crockpot. This sounds like a great recipe and I’m all about easy recipes with just a few ingredients.

    Reply
  13. Elizabeth Weitz says

    February 11, 2019 at 7:08 pm

    5 stars
    Ohhh this is delicious! I actually add Buffalo Franks sauce for an extra kick! Yummy recipe!

    Reply
  14. Anthony says

    February 11, 2019 at 1:45 pm

    5 stars
    Sara,
    I just came from Trader Joe’s here in NYC, I got the plump breasts & cream cheese….. however I could not find powder ranch there. I can go elsewhere tomorrow or the next day to try to find it, like maybe Fairways or Western Beef, but I have major sciatica leg pain issues. So….my big question is “any alternative options?” I have regular liquid ranch in my fridge but that is not meant to be heated right?? I could hold off on cooking until I figure out when & where I can find the ranch powder, was just wanting to cook this tonight or tomorrow! Let me know your thoughts on this! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sara says

      February 11, 2019 at 7:16 pm

      Trader Joe’s typically doesn’t carry ranch powder. Most major grocery store chains have ranch powder and it’s located near the salad dressings in little packets. I do have a recipe for homemade ranch powder here: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/homemade-ranch-dip/. I’m sure you don’t have the powdered buttermilk on hand but you may have the other spices to blend together for a similar effect?

      Reply
      • Anthony says

        February 11, 2019 at 7:27 pm

        Thanks Sara! I will try to find the ranch powder somewhere so that I can experience your original recipe, looks and sounds amazing. Manhattan neighborhoods have different styles of grocery stores compared to California where I grew up out West. i can picture exactly where to find it if I was walking around a Vons or Ralphs or Safeway in San Diego, but it’s a little different here. I’ll find it eventually. Thanks for your time!

        Reply
  15. Heidi Roberts says

    February 11, 2019 at 1:31 pm

    5 stars
    Slow cookers are so versatile and useful! I would eat your chicken with rice!

    Reply
  16. Candace Moczarski says

    February 11, 2019 at 11:07 am

    ok Im making this so easy but looks amazing my kids will love. You can even do over nachos!!
    -xoxo
    Candace

    Reply
  17. Joanna says

    February 11, 2019 at 10:34 am

    5 stars
    I love using my slow cooker but I have never tried this recipe before. It sounds delicious ,especially as a sandwich spread or even for breakfast.

    Reply
  18. Catherine says

    February 11, 2019 at 10:07 am

    This looks absolutely fantastic! Yet another delicious and wonderful meal….I have to give this a try!

    Reply
  19. Jordan says

    February 11, 2019 at 9:47 am

    Omg- cream cheese and chicken, I’m done! I was supposed to be on a New Year’s diet, but no more.

    Reply
  20. Anthony Vitte says

    February 10, 2019 at 3:27 pm

    5 stars
    Wow!!! Holy crackamole!!! You’re gonna make addicts out of us Sara if you keep it up with these irresistible recipes!!!

    Reply
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With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More
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