This Crock Pot Crack Chicken lives up to it’s name as it is truly addictive. Filled with all the things your family loves, chicken and pasta in a creamy ranch sauce. It is a real crowd pleaser.
The very best part about this crack chicken is that it so versatile. You can adjust the flavor profile and ingredients to make a spectacular meal.
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What is Ranch?
Ranch is an American invention that is both creamy and tangy. It is usually made with buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream and herbs such as dill. Made into a salad dressing but also great in sauces and dips.
Why This Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Recipe is a Keeper
Make and cook the chicken right in the slow cooker. The combination of chicken and the creamy sauce is a hit with everyone in the family.
- Minutes to Prep: Put chicken in the pot along with the seasonings and let the slow cooker do the work.
- Easy Ingredients: Crack chicken is great because all the ingredients are found in pantry or fridge.
- Family Friendly: This cream cheese chicken is a favorite with the entire family.
- Adaptable: Can make it low-carb or dairy free, etc…
If you’re looking for more chicken recipes, try these Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip, Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy and Orzo Chicken Salad.
What is the best way to shred chicken for your meals?
You can shred the chicken by using two forks, or shred it by using an electric mixer or just pull it apart with your hands if you prefer.
Ingredient Notes for Crockpot Crack Chicken
- Use Chicken Breasts: The slow cooker recipe is great with chicken breast but you can use thighs if you prefer.
- Dry Ranch Packet: In place of the traditional mix, try Spicy Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for this Crock Pot Crack Chicken
Make Crock Pot crack chicken that is the way you like it by trying some of these variations.
- Crack Dip: Use this recipe as a party dip and serve with carrot sticks and celery or crackers.
- Toppers: Use chop green onions or parsley for the top of the chicken dish.
- Keto: You can easily adapt this recipe to meet your dietary needs, make keto or use a low sodium ranch seasoning or low fat cheese and cream cheese for this crockpot crack chicken recipe.
Special Equipment Needed for Slow Cooker Chicken
- Slow Cooker: It is such an easy dump and go meal that is is one of our favorite slow cooker meals.
How to Make Crockpot Crack Chicken
This crack chicken is an addicting and easy meal that the whole family will love.
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These are the basic steps for making slow cooker ranch chicken. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Place the Boneless, skinless chicken breast into the slow cooker with Ranch Seasoning
First, place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker and pour the chicken broth on top. Season the chicken with the pepper and ranch packet. Place the cubed cream cheese all over top. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Or until the chicken is cooked.
STEP 2: Shred Chicken and add the Cheddar Cheese and Bacon
Remove the chicken and set aside, mix in the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, spinach and bacon, mix until well combined. You can either shred the chicken or cube it, once cut however way place back into the slow cooker and cover and cook for another 30 minutes.
STEP 3: Cook Pasta and add the Chicken Mixture that you Shred
While that’s cooking, boil the pasta on the stove until the noodles are cooked. Drain and then mix the pasta into the slow cooker and stir well. Serve and enjoy! Sprinkle with chopped scallions and cheese on top!
Recipe FAQs for Creamy Crockpot Crack Chicken
Expert Tips for Making This Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe with Cream Cheese
When making this slow cooker chicken breast meal, there are a lot of ways to make it even more special. Here are just a few of my favorites for this crock pot crack chicken recipe:
- Add Different Cheese: This hearty chicken with any cheese that you like such as gruyere, Monterey jack or other favorites.
- Skip: Feel free to skip the pasta and serve over rice, mashed potatoes or even serve on slider rolls.
- Variation tip: Different vegetables are wonderful in this crockpot recipe. Try using mushrooms, broccoli or cauliflower in this crack chicken casserole.
- Alternate ingredient: In place of the chicken breasts try using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this easy crockpot crack chicken.
- Instant Pot Crack Chicken: Make in the instant pot for the creamy chicken recipe.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Replace the cream cheese with the soup for a creamy finish.
- Chicken Thighs: Use boneless chicken thighs in this easy crockpot chicken recipe.
What to Serve with Crockpot Bacon Ranch Chicken
Crock Pot Crack Chicken
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Boneless skinless chicken breast
- ½ cup Chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 ounce Ranch packet, 1 packet
- 8 ounces Cream cheese, cubed
- 1 ½ cup Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 2 cups Spinach, chopped
- 8 slices Bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 pound Rotini pasta
- Scallions, optional
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in a 8 quart slow cooker and pour the chicken broth on top.
- Season the chicken with the pepper and ranch packet. Place the cubed cream cheese all over top.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Or until the chicken is cooked.
- Remove the chicken and set aside, mix in the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, spinach and bacon, mix until well combined. You can either shred the chicken or cube it, once cut however way place back into the slow cooker and cover and cook for another 30 minutes.
- While that’s cooking, boil the pasta on the stove until the noodles are cooked.
- Drain and then mix the pasta into the slow cooker and stir well. Serve and enjoy! Top with chopped scallions!
Christina’s Notes
- Add Different Cheese: This hearty chicken with any cheese that you like such as gruyere, Monterey jack or other favorites.
- Skip: Feel free to skip the pasta and serve over rice, mashed potatoes or even serve on slider rolls.
- Variation tip: Different vegetables are wonderful in this crockpot recipe. Try using mushrooms, broccoli or cauliflower in this crack chicken casserole.
- Alternate ingredient: In place of the chicken breasts try using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this easy crockpot crack chicken.
- Instant Pot Crack Chicken: Make in the instant pot for the creamy chicken recipe.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Replace the cream cheese with the soup for a creamy finish.
- Chicken Thighs: Use boneless chicken thighs in this easy crockpot chicken recipe.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.