Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Treat yourself to an easy and flavorful meal with this slow cooker crack chicken. It's super tasty as a sandwich/slider filling or as a dip.
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
If you're looking for a super easy, no-fuss meal, try this slow cooker cooker crack chicken.
It's made with chicken breasts, ranch seasoning, cream cheese, bacon, and cheese and makes a great and versatile flavored chicken that can be used in a variety of ways.
Whether you serve it on sandwich buns, with tortilla chips, or over rice, everyone will love it.
It's perfect for family dinners, game days, or potlucks.
Ingredients
Chicken breasts: We used boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you can also use thighs if you prefer.
Ranch dressing seasoning mix: You can use homemade or store bought.
Cream cheese: We use full-fat cream cheese.
Bacon: Cook your bacon until it’s nice and crispy.
Green onions: Chop them just before adding to keep them bright and crisp.
Shredded cheddar cheese: We use a mild cheddar, but use whatever your favorite one is.
How to Make
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a large slow cooker and sprinkle them with the ranch dressing seasoning mix.
Next, add the blocks of cream cheese on top of the chicken.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to low, allowing the mixture to cook for about six hours until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Once the cooking time is up, shred the chicken using forks, either in the slow cooker or on a plate. If you prefer your chicken cubed, you can cube it into bite sized pieces instead of shredding.
Stir the cream cheese into the shredded chicken until it’s well mixed.
Then, add the crumbled bacon and chopped green onions, mixing everything together thoroughly.
To finish, top the mixture with shredded cheddar cheese and place the lid back on the slow cooker.
Let it sit on low or warm until the cheese melts.
Once melted, serve the Crack Chicken on sandwich buns or with tortilla chips for dipping.
Enjoy!
Leftovers/Storage
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. If you're making sandwiches with the chicken, store the chicken separately from the buns.
If you want to freeze the Crack Chicken, portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers and remove as much air as possible before sealing. Store in the freezer up to 3 months.
When you're ready to reheat, remove from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
Leftovers
Here are some ideas on ways to use up any leftovers you have.
Crack Chicken Sandwiches: Pile the chicken onto buns or hoagie rolls, and add lettuce, tomato, and pickles.
Loaded Baked Potatoes: Top baked potatoes with the crack chicken, and add extra shredded cheese, green onions, or sour cream.
Crack Chicken Quesadillas: Use the leftover chicken as a filling for quesadillas. Add some extra shredded cheese and cook until crispy and golden brown.
Chicken Tacos: Fill soft tortillas with the crack chicken, then top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a drizzle of ranch dressing for easy tacos.
Crack Chicken Dip: Reheat the leftovers and serve as a warm dip with tortilla chips or crackers.
Crack Chicken Pasta: Toss the leftover chicken with cooked pasta and a bit of pasta water or cream to make a creamy pasta dish.
Crack Chicken Pizza: Spread the chicken over a pizza crust, top with extra cheese and your favorite toppings (like green onions or bacon), then bake until bubbly. You could use ranch between the crust and the chicken if you want a sauce on your pizza.
Stuffed Bell Peppers: Fill halved bell peppers with the crack chicken, top with cheese, and bake until the peppers are tender.
Crack Chicken Salad: Serve the chicken over a bed of mixed greens with chopped veggies, crumbled bacon, and ranch dressing for a quick and easy salad.
Crack Chicken Wraps: Use the chicken in a wrap with lettuce, shredded cheese, and a drizzle of ranch or buffalo sauce.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Sandwich buns: Serve Crack Chicken on soft sandwich buns.
Tortilla chips: Enjoy it as a dip with tortilla or corn chips.
Rice: Serve over white or brown rice.
Pasta: Mix it with your favorite pasta.
Salad: Pair it with a fresh garden salad.
Veggies: Serve alongside steamed or roasted vegetables.
What if the chicken isn't shredding easily?
If the chicken is tough or hard to shred, it may need more cooking time. Let it cook for an additional 30 minutes to an hour on low until it's tender.
Why is the sauce too thick?
If the mixture turns out thicker than you like, add a splash of chicken broth or milk while stirring to achieve your desired consistency.
What if I don't have ranch seasoning?
If you're out of ranch seasoning, you can substitute with a mix of dried herbs like parsley, dill, and garlic powder for a similar flavor profile.
Can I make this dish spicier?
Yes, you can add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the slow cooker for some heat.
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch dressing seasoning mix
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- 8 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 green onions chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the bottom of a large (at least 4-quarts) slow cooker and sprinkle with the ranch seasoning mix. Place the blocks of cream cheese on top of the chicken.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set to low. Cook for 6 hours until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Shred the chicken with forks (can be done in the slow cooker or on a plate) and stir the cream cheese into the shredded chicken.
- Add the cooked crumbled bacon and chopped green onions and stir well.
- Top the shredded chicken mixture with the cheese and place the lid back on the slow cooker, set to low or warm, and allow the cheese to melt.
- Once the cheese is melted, serve the Crack Chicken with sandwich buns or tortilla chips for dipping.
Notes
Please note that the nutritional content of this recipe will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For a detailed breakdown of the nutritional values, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you've used.
