Crack Chicken Recipe

I dump chicken breast, barbecue sauce, cream cheese, ranch, and a handful of other seasonings into the crockpot to make my easy-peasy crack chicken recipe! My whole family is obsessed with it and always asks for seconds.

My Easy Crack Chicken Crock Pot Recipe

This crack chicken recipe is my ode to chicken bacon ranch! It’s creamy, cheesy, savory… there isn’t much not to love about this flavor combination. 

Perhaps even better, it all comes together so easily in the slow cooker. My husband, Ben, knows exactly what’s for dinner whenever I make it — the guy has a nose for this stuff! I will say, the kitchen does start to take on the aroma of cheese, chicken, and ranch, especially at the end of the cooking time.

I’ve attempted to make this in the stove and oven before, but there’s just something about the Crock pot that make this chicken crack recipe so much easier and creamier to make. And, it tastes so savory!

It’s topped with bacon and full of two types of cheese, and it’s no surprise my kids love it as much as their dad. There are tons of ways to serve it too, from sandwiches to on top of rice, mashed potatoes, or even baked potatoes.

For more chicken recipes, don’t miss my oven baked chicken tenders, Tuscan chicken, oven baked whole chicken, baked split chicken breast, Instant Pot drumsticks, and Mississippi chicken recipe.

What is Crack Chicken?

Crack chicken is rich and creamy slow-cooked chicken made with ranch seasoning, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon. The combination is so incredibly tasty that it’s downright addicting (in the best way), earning it the name “crack” chicken!

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Ingredients 

• Chicken Breast – I like boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe as it becomes extra tender when slow-cooked. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are another (even juicier) option.
• Barbecue Sauce – For a touch of sweet and smoky flavor. I sometimes use buffalo sauce instead to make the whole thing spicier.
• Bacon – And it’s gotta be the real stuff! My preference is crumbled crispy bacon, but bacon bits would work too.
• Seasonings – I add a simple combination of salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to season the raw chicken directly in the crock. I also can’t forget about the pre-made ranch seasoning mix — it puts the ranch in this chicken bacon ranch recipe!
• Chicken Stock – I pour in about half a cup to make sure the chicken doesn’t dry out. Vegetable broth is a good substitute.
• Cream Cheese – Makes the whole thing creamier!
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese – For a nice cheesy layer on top. I always recommend shredding a block instead of buying the pre-shredded bags. Other cheeses to try are Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or Colby.
• Sliced Green Onions – For a garnish.

How to Make Crack Chicken

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Add the raw chicken breasts to the bottom of the slow cooker and season with salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and ranch. Top the chicken in the crockpot with cream cheese, barbecue sauce, and chicken stock.

STEP TWO: Cover and cook it on Low for 6-7 hours or High for 3-4 hours. Turn off the heat when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and it can be easily shredded.

STEP THREE: Working directly in the slow cooker, use 2 forks or an electric hand mixer to shred the chicken while mixing it with the sauce.

STEP FOUR: Add the cheese and bacon on top of the shredded chicken and stir it to combine, or leave it as-is for a different texture. Garnish with the sliced green onions, serve immediately, and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Chicken Crack Recipe

• I always use room-temperature cream cheese as it melts more evenly. Simply pull it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before getting started to bring it to temp.
• Check for doneness early to prevent the chicken from drying out. I usually take a peek with my instant read thermometer around the 5.5-hour mark if cooking on Low, or after 2.5 hours if on High. 
• Shredding the chicken directly in the crockpot will save on dishes and allow the chicken to soak up all of that delicious sauce.
• And don’t hesitate to shred with a hand mixer! A couple of forks work just fine, but I find the process moves a lot more quickly when I use my mixer. It’s just important to keep an eye on the texture — it needs to be shredded, not over-processed into a paste.
• Let the cheese melt a little before mixing or serving to make the sauce creamy and smooth instead of stringy. Waiting about 2-3 minutes should do the trick! 

Crack Chicken Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• Greek yogurt can be used instead of cream cheese to make this a touch lighter as it boasts a similar tang. That said, the texture is different, so I recommend adding it at the end of cooking instead of before.
• Use sugar free BBQ sauce to make this recipe completely keto-friendly!
• I love adding a pinch of smoked paprika and/or some cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix for a hint of smoky or spicy flavor.
• The toppings are super customizable. Feel free to incorporate extra cheese, avocado slices, or a dollop of sour cream after adding the cheddar and bacon. Crispy fried onions are another favorite in our house.
• Veggies can be added too. Bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, green chiles, or cauliflower would all be tasty.

What to Serve with this Easy Crack Chicken Recipe

I love serving crack chicken on hamburger buns for sandwiches, over white rice or mashed potatoes for a comfort food feast, or on top of baked potatoes. Some of my favorite sides include crack green beans (of course), my famous coleslaw recipe, and my super easy biscuit recipe, to name a few!

Crack Chicken Recipe FAQs 

What is the best type of chicken to use for crack chicken in the Crock Pot?

I like boneless, skinless chicken breasts best for crack chicken! They shred up super easily when cooked and absorb the sauce well. Though, as mentioned, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also be used and will actually come out even richer thanks to the additional fat.

Why is my cracked chicken recipe tough?

Cracked chicken can come out tough when it’s overcooked or when there isn’t enough liquid in the crockpot. Be sure to follow the ingredient amounts on the recipe closely, and start checking for doneness early. It’s best to use an instant-read thermometer to determine whether the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. 

How should I store leftover slow cooker crack chicken?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I also love freezing crack chicken for easy weeknight meals! It will keep for up to 3 months — I like to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for the best flavor and texture.

More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

• Crock pot tri tip
• Slow cooker pulled pork
• White chicken chili with cream cheese
• Crockpot ranch pork chops
• Sirloin tip roast crock pot recipe