Get ready for the absolute best comfort food you'll make all year-this Crack Chicken is ultra-creamy, savory, and utterly addictive! Packed with juicy shredded chicken, tangy ranch, smoky bacon, and gooey cheddar cheese, one bite and you'll see why it's earned its name.
The beauty of this dish? It's a one-pot wonder you can toss in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or bake in the oven. It goes from fridge to table in under an hour, making it a life-saver for crazy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Crack Chicken is insanely versatile, perfect for sandwich fillings, wraps, baked potatoes, or straight from the bowl (no judgment here!). I first tried a version at a potluck-and let's just say, there were zero leftovers.
Make this just once and you'll understand the hype. It's the cheesy, creamy, bacon-studded dinner everyone begs for!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously easy and mostly hands-off-let your slow cooker do the work!
- Incredible flavor with just a handful of pantry staples.
- Keto friendly, gluten free, and kid-approved.
- Super versatile-serve it on buns, over pasta, or as a dip for parties.
Key Ingredients for Crack Chicken
See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
This is the foundation of Crack Chicken, soaking up all the creamy and cheesy goodness as it cooks. Use fresh or thawed chicken breasts for the fastest cooking and most even shredding. You can also swap in boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness or even use rotisserie chicken if you're short on time.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese creates that irresistible rich and creamy sauce. Be sure to use full-fat for the most decadent results! Cut the cream cheese into cubes for quick melting, or let it soften to room temperature before adding. Whipped cream cheese works, but might make the sauce slightly lighter and fluffier.
Ranch Seasoning Mix
The secret flavor weapon! Ranch adds tang, herbs, and a savory kick that makes this dish so addictive. You can use a store-bought packet or make your own blend with dried dill, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder. Opt for low-sodium if you're watching salt intake.
Cheddar Cheese
Melty cheddar brings everything together, adding both flavor and gooeyness. Sharp cheddar packs the most punch, but mild or a cheese blend works great too. Try pepper jack or Monterey Jack for a twist.
Bacon
Bacon brings salty, smoky magic to Crack Chicken! Fry it until crispy and crumble on top for best texture. Turkey bacon or even store-bought bacon bits will work if you want to lighten things up.
Instructions for Crack Chicken
See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.Prep the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. This ensures they cook evenly and soak up all those tasty flavors.
Add Cream Cheese and Seasonings
Scatter the cream cheese cubes evenly over the chicken, then sprinkle on the ranch seasoning and black pepper. Pour in the chicken broth to help create a smooth, creamy sauce as it cooks.
Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fall-apart tender. Don't peek too often-trapping the heat helps everything cook uniformly!
Shred and Mix
Remove the cooked chicken and shred it with two forks, then return it to the pot. Stir well to combine with the melty cream cheese mixture.
Add Cheese and Bacon
Sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese and half the crumbled bacon. Stir until everything is melted and combined. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes on "warm" so the sauce thickens up.
Garnish and Serve
Spoon the Crack Chicken onto buns, baked potatoes, or right into a bowl. Scatter with green onions and the remaining bacon for a crave-worthy finish.
Recipe Variations
Make It Spicy
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a splash of hot sauce before cooking for a fiery twist. Spicy pepper jack cheese also works wonders!
Lightened-Up Version
Use Neufchâtel (⅓ less fat) cream cheese, turkey bacon, and reduced-fat cheddar to cut calories while keeping the luscious texture.
Dairy-Free or Paleo Option
Swap cream cheese and cheddar for vegan alternatives and use coconut cream or unsweetened cashew cream instead. Look for dairy-free ranch seasoning or make your own!
Instant Pot Crack Chicken
Short on time? Cook everything in the Instant Pot on high pressure for 15 minutes, then shred and finish with cheese and bacon.
Extra Veggies
Stir in chopped spinach, steamed broccoli, or sliced bell peppers after shredding the chicken for a boost of color and nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
Crack Chicken is endlessly versatile! Pile it onto soft brioche buns or rolls for epic sandwiches, spoon over fluffy baked potatoes, serve atop rice or pasta, or simply scoop with celery sticks for a low-carb option. Don't forget a sprinkle of extra bacon and green onions for a pop of flavor and color. It also makes a fabulous filling for wraps, quesadillas, or even as a hearty party dip with tortilla chips!
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm individual servings in the microwave in 30-second intervals until hot, or place in a skillet over low heat, stirring often. Crack Chicken also freezes beautifully-cool completely, portion into freezer-safe bags, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as above.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crack Chicken (FAQ)
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?A: Absolutely! Chicken thighs work perfectly in this recipe and may even be juicier. Adjust cook time if needed and shred as directed.
Q: Is Crack Chicken keto-friendly and gluten-free?A: Yes! This recipe is naturally low in carbs and gluten-free. Just double-check your ranch seasoning mix to confirm.
Q: Can I make Crack Chicken ahead of time?A: You sure can. Crack Chicken actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Store in the fridge and reheat before serving.
This crack chicken truly does it all-easy, unbelievably flavorful, and totally crowd-pleasing. Give it a try for your next family dinner or party, and let me know how it goes by leaving a comment or rating below. Trust me, you'll be making this recipe on repeat!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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1Arrange chicken breasts in the slow cooker and sprinkle with ranch seasoning and pepper.
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2Dot cream cheese cubes over the chicken, then pour chicken broth around the sides.
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3Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender and easily shredded.
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4Remove chicken to a bowl and shred with two forks. Return to slow cooker and stir to combine with sauce.
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5Add shredded cheddar and half the bacon. Stir well, then let sit 5-10 minutes to thicken.
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6Serve hot, garnished with remaining bacon and green onions.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
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