Creamy Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Recipe Easy 5-Ingredient Dinner
A comforting and easy slow cooker chicken recipe with creamy cheese, smoky bacon, and ranch seasoning that comes together with just five ingredients and minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 3 hours 14 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet (about 1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
Instructions
- Cook 8 slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then crumble into small pieces.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1 packet ranch seasoning. Stir until smooth and well blended.
- Place 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer. Season lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
- Spread the cream cheese and ranch mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until chicken reaches 165°F and is tender enough to shred.
- Remove the chicken breasts and shred using two forks or a hand mixer on low speed. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir into the creamy sauce.
- Mix in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and the crumbled bacon pieces. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes with the lid on to melt the cheese.
- Stir again, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed, and serve hot.
Notes
Use softened cream cheese for smooth blending. Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid frequently to maintain heat. Shred chicken carefully to avoid mushiness. Cooking on low yields more tender chicken. Save some bacon grease for extra flavor if desired. For dairy-free options, substitute vegan cream cheese and cheddar. Add jalapeños or hot sauce for spice. Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/6th
- Calories: 360
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Protein: 38
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, crack chicken, creamy chicken, easy dinner, 5-ingredient recipe, comfort food, cheesy chicken, bacon chicken