Crack Chicken

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my crack chicken recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

• Chicken Breast – I mainly use this because I always have it, but have used boneless chicken thighs and they are even more juicy. You pick!
• Herbs & Spices – Dried parsley, dried dill, dried chives, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. A few notes on these:
  • Don’t add salt! The cheeses and bacon are already salty enough. You can always salt at the end, but I never need to.
  • Yes, the seasoning amounts seem like a lot. I actually increased them from my older version. Trust me, this is how much you want!
  • To substitute fresh herbs, triple the amounts. Yes, really.
  • You can substitute 1/3 cup of my homemade ranch seasoning, but omit the salt when you make it — see above. I don’t recommend pre-made packets, which usually have salt (and artificial ingredients.
  • I wouldn’t use ranch dressing here — the flavor isn’t strong enough, and because cooking crack chicken in the Crock Pot releases extra moisture and the result will be too watery.
• Cheeses – Cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Feel free to swap the cheddar with other types that melt well, such as pepper jack.
• Bacon – I usually cook bacon in the oven in advance for the week, but if you don’t have any cooked, you can air fry bacon or microwave bacon for this recipe quickly. I used to use bacon bits as a shortcut and you definitely can, but the flavor and texture is much better if you cook it yourself.
• Green Onions – I use just the green parts. Feel free to toss in the white parts, too.

How To Make Crack Chicken In The Crock Pot

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

1. Season the chicken. Place chicken breasts into the slow cooker in a single layer. Sprinkle with all the herbs and spices. Top with pieces of cream cheese.
2. Slow cook until easy to shred. Shred the chicken with two forks, then stir with the cream cheese mixture at the bottom.
3. Stir in the shredded cheddar, bacon, and green onions. I like to top this slow cooker crack chicken with a little extra for serving!

Serving Ideas

This crack chicken recipe comes out soft and creamy, almost like a dip. So, I’ve used it in a multitude of ways:

• Sandwiches & Wraps – Pile it onto your favorite hamburger buns, or wrap it in lettuce wraps for a lighter option. The buns pictured above are from my (first) Easy Keto Cookbook. My (second) Easy Keto Carboholics’ Cookbook has even better buns that are soft and airy, like real ones. I use regular ones for my kids. I served a simple green salad on the side this time, but my sugar-free coleslaw also pairs well.
• Serve as a dip – Sturdy veggies, like celery, carrots, or bell peppers, are perfect for scooping up crack chicken. You can also do this with baked tortilla chips, or spread it onto crackers.
• Casserole – When I have time, I roast broccoli or cauliflower while I have the crack chicken in the slow cooker. Fold them together in a baking dish, top with more cheese, and bake for something totally new. (This also works great with leftovers!)
• Noodles – This creamy sauce is so delicious mixed in with zucchini noodles, shirataki noodles, or spaghetti squash. Feel free to use your favorite pasta.
• Bowls – Pile the chicken over a base, like rice, cauliflower rice, or even roasted sweet potatoes.