Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Recipe
Introduction
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for an easy dinner. Combining tender shredded chicken with ranch seasoning, bacon, and melted cheese, it’s a crowd-pleaser served on soft hamburger buns. Let your slow cooker do the work for a hands-off, delicious meal.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- 8 oz cream cheese (block)
- 1 dry ranch dressing seasoning mix (1 oz packet)
- 6 strips bacon (cooked crisply and crumbled)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 6 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the chicken breasts, crumbled bacon, and ranch seasoning mix to a slow cooker of at least 6 quarts in size.
- Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Step 3: Shred the chicken using two forks inside the slow cooker. Stir in the block of cream cheese until it’s well combined and creamy. Cover and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes to melt the cream cheese.
- Step 4: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions over the chicken mixture. Cover and cook on low for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Step 5: Serve the creamy crack chicken immediately on hamburger buns and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika to the ranch seasoning before cooking.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese for a lighter option with tangy flavor.
- Swap hamburger buns for slider rolls or serve over cooked rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal.
- Make it spicy by adding a dash of hot sauce or sliced jalapeños to the mixture before serving.
Storage
Store leftover crack chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain creaminess. The mixture can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless chicken thighs work well and tend to stay even juicier after slow cooking, resulting in a rich and tender dish.
What if I don’t have ranch seasoning mix?
You can make your own by combining dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Adjust quantities to taste for a similar flavor.
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Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 50 minutes to 8 hours 50 minutes (low) or 3 hours 50 minutes to 4 hours 50 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful shredded chicken dish made with ranch seasoning, bacon, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and green onions. This easy slow cooker recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken perfect for sandwiches and is ideal for convenient meal preparation.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- 1 dry ranch dressing seasoning mix (1 oz packet)
- 6 strips bacon (cooked crisply and crumbled)
Cheese and Toppings
- 8 oz cream cheese (block)
- 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/4 cup green onions (sliced)
Serving
- 6 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Place the boneless chicken breasts, cooked and crumbled bacon, and the dry ranch dressing seasoning mix into a slow cooker of at least 6-quart capacity.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred Chicken and Add Cream Cheese: Use two forks to shred the cooked chicken inside the slow cooker. Stir in the block of cream cheese until well combined. Cover and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes to allow the cream cheese to melt fully and blend into the chicken.
- Add Cheddar Cheese and Green Onions: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions over the chicken mixture. Cover and cook on low for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts completely.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy shredded chicken onto hamburger buns immediately and enjoy your delicious Crack Chicken sandwiches.
Notes
- For best results, use a slow cooker with at least 6-quart capacity to hold all ingredients comfortably.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if preferred for a juicier texture.
- Adjust cooking time depending on your slow cooker’s heat settings to ensure chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Leftover Crack Chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- To make it a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and cheddar cheese varieties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high) plus 40 minutes additional melting time
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Slow Cooker Crack Chicken, Crack Chicken, Easy Slow Cooker Recipes, Ranch Chicken, Cheesy Chicken, Slow Cooker Chicken Sandwiches
