Crockpot recipes are my favorite, and they keep getting better with my crock pot crack chicken – made with ranch, bacon and cheese! It can be shredded or left as a whole and served over your favorite side dish such as pasta, rice or a baked potato.
What is Crock Pot Crack Chicken
Basically, this dish is perfectly slow cooked chicken, covered in Ranch and garlic flavors. It is smothered in a cheesy and bacon sauce. Then, once cooked, it is shredded and served over any side dish. It is creamy, it is moist and it is OH SO GOOD.
It is based off a really popular recipe, crack dip. Which uses all the same ingredients, but, in a dip form. You can really make this recipe into the dip form by adding more cream cheese, sour cream, mayo and/or greek yogurt.
If you don't like Ranch, bacon and cheese combining into one perfect dish, come on!
Why Do I Love Crockpot Ranch Chicken
This dish is the most effortless dish that turns out absolutely amazing. Just place everything into a crock pot and press cook. I even use the liners for easy clean up. I typically have all these ingredients on hand. Making this the perfect dish for a weeknight when I do not know what to cook.
It makes for great leftovers. I make a big batch to not have to worry about lunch the next days. Crack chicken is great on a ton of different side dishes and is very kid friendly.
Quick Substitutions and Tips for Crack Chicken Recipe
I use chicken breast; however, different cuts of chicken work very well. I suggest using something boneless, such as a bones chicken thigh, since you will shred it. However, if you want to serve it whole, you can cut around a bone while eating.
You can use your favorite type of bacon. I typically use fully cooked bacon; however, you can try bacon bits, real bacon or some diced up ham.
Essential Ingredients for Crack Chicken in the Crockpot
These are the essential ingredients to make the best crock pot crack chicken.
First things first is a crock pot or slow cooker of course. I use the original crock pot brand and I love using the liners for easy clean up; however, you do not have to. Make sure you grab a meat thermometer too, that can stay in a closed crock.
- Chicken
- Ranch seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Cream cheese
- Shredded cheese
- Bacon
Chicken
I use chicken breast for crock pot crack chicken; however, different cuts of chicken work very well. I suggest using something boneless, such as a bones chicken thigh, since you will shred it. However, if you want to serve it whole, you can cut around a bone while eating.
Ranch Seasonings
I always find it easier to grab the big jar; however, you can also use the little packages.
Garlic Powder
Since we are not sautéing this recipe, I used garlic powder instead of minced garlic.
Cream Cheese
Typically, I do use ⅓ less fat cream cheese; however, you can use the real thing. To make this recipe creamier, double the cream cheese or add ¼ cup of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt.
Shredded Cheese
I use the Trader Joe's lite Mexican cheese blend; however, you can use any type of shredded cheese that you want to.
Bacon
Okay, no one get mad at me for this one. Fully cooked bacon is my absolute favorite thing. It is so easy. It comes out squishy, which I love. Plus, it has less fat.
You can use your favorite type of bacon. I typically use fully cooked bacon; however, you can try bacon bits, real bacon or some diced up ham.
Plain, Nonfat Greek Yogurt
This is not necessarily an essential ingredient but I think it adds a step up to the recipe. To make the dish creamier, double the cream cheese or add ⅛ cup to ¼ cup of plain nonfat Greek yogurt into the mix after shredding the chicken.
How to Make Crack Chicken
Grab a crock pot or slow cooker of course. I use the original crock pot brand and I love using the liners for easy clean up; however, you do not have to. Make sure you grab a meat thermometer too, that can stay in a closed crock.
Add ⅛ cup of water or chicken broth to the bottom of the crock pot, to keep the chicken moist.
Place the chicken at the bottom. Then, top it with Ranch, garlic powder, half the shredded cheese, the bacon (I reserve some for garnishing), and the cream cheese.
Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for two hours, until chicken is fully cooked.
Once cooked, shred the chicken. You can do this right in the crock pot or in a separate bowl. Add the chicken back into the crock pot. If adding yogurt, add that in now and mix to combine.
Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and place the lid back on the crock pot. Let it cook, on high, for another five minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
FAQs
- Use a different type of chicken
- Double the cream cheese to make it creamier
- Add ¼ cup of yogurt, sour cream or mayo when shredding to make it creamier
- Use your favorite type of bacon or diced cooked ham
What to Serve with the Best Crock Pot Dish
Try out some of my side dish recipes:
- Candied Carrot Chips
- Crunchy Crack Broccoli
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
- Mini Blooming Onions - Air Fryer White Pearl Onions
- Macaroni Salad with Greek Yogurt
More of My Favorite Crock Pot Recipes
Try out some more crock pot recipes:
- Shredded Taco Chicken
- Pulled Hawaiian Chicken
- BBQ Turkey Tenderloin
- Pulled BBQ Turkey
- Pork Tenderloin
Crock Pot Crack Chicken
Crockpot recipes are my favorite, and they keep getting better with my crock pot crack chicken – made with ranch, bacon and cheese!
Crock Pot Crack Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅛ cup chicken broth
- 1 pound chicken breast two pieces
- 3 tablespoons Ranch seasoning
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ cup shredded lite Mexican cheese
- 6 slices fully cooked bacon
- 2 ounces ⅓ less fat cream cheese
- ¼ cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt optional, for extra creaminess
Instructions
- Add ⅛ cup of water or chicken broth to the bottom of the crock pot, to keep the chicken moist.
- Place the chicken at the bottom. Then, top it with Ranch, garlic powder, half the shredded cheese, the bacon (I reserve some for garnishing), and the cream cheese.
- Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for two hours, until chicken is fully cooked.
- Once cooked, shred the chicken. You can do this right in the crock pot or in a separate bowl. Add the chicken back into the crock pot.
- Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and place the lid back on the crock pot. Let it cook, on high, for another five minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- For extra creaminess, double the cream cheese used or add in ⅛-1/4 cup of yogurt or sour cream when shredding the chicken.
Nutrition
Click this link to automatically calculate your Weight Watcher points. It is 5 points for me; however, might be different for you.
Leave a Reply