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Get It NowThis crack chicken is one of my family’s all-time favorite slow cooker recipes. It’s incredibly creamy and cheesy, I always have the ingredients around, and it requires almost no hands-on time. I’ve been making it since 2019, but realized that some of my improvements over the years never made it to the blog. When I made this Crock Pot crack chicken recipe again recently, my daughter tried it on a gluten-free bun with a piece of butter lettuce and literally rolled her eyes back in delight. And so did I. If you’ve tried this recipe before, I hope you’ll make it with me again — it’s even better now!
Why You Need My Crack Chicken Recipe
- Creamy, herby, cheesy shredded chicken with bacon – All these comfort food ingredients make this crack chicken so addictive, hence the name! (For what it’s worth, I didn’t name it, but I can see why someone called it that.) And with my new cook time, the chicken is a lot more tender.
- Virtually no prep – This is truly the ultimate dump-it-all-in-the-Crock-Pot recipe. There are no separate bowls, no separate cooking, nothing. It takes me 5 minutes to get it going.
- Clean ingredients – Many crack chicken recipes use ranch seasoning mix packets, which are filled with artificial preservatives, starch, and sometimes even sugar. Mine simply combines common herbs and spices, similar to the ones in my homemade ranch dressing. So, it’s low carb, gluten-free, and just simple.
- So many ways to enjoy it – See my serving ideas below!
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.
- 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.
- Slow cook until easy to shred. Shred the chicken with two forks, then stir with the cream cheese mixture at the bottom.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar, bacon, and green onions. I like to top this slow cooker crack chicken with a little extra for serving!
My Recipe Tips
- This crack chicken recipe is not spicy at all, but you can adjust the heat. Feel free to double or even triple the black pepper, or add a little cayenne pepper for a kick.
- When you add the cream cheese to the slow cooker, try to place it on top of the chicken and not on the bottom of the vessel. It melts more gently that way.
- While you can cook this recipe on high, low is better. In my testing, the chicken was noticeably more tender and less dry on the low setting.
- The chicken should shred effortlessly. If it’s tough, that’s a sign it’s either over or undercooked. I used to cook this Crock Pot crack chicken recipe for 6-8 hours on low, but have since learned that’s too long! It’s much better with the shorter times I have listed below.
- When you first start stirring, the cream cheese might not be fully smooth. This is normal! Keep stirring and it will become creamy – and even more so after you add the shredded cheese.
- If you want some chunks of chicken, stir every gently or use a folding motion. Otherwise this crack chicken typically leaves you with small shredded bits in a thick, creamy sauce – which I think is delicious.
- If needed, add salt to your taste at the end. I didn’t include it in the recipe because surprisingly, the cream cheese was salty enough for me.
- Reserve extra cheese, bacon and green onions for topping if you like. I did just bacon and green onions in my pictures here, but sometimes I melt more cheddar on top as well. If the cheese doesn’t melt on the warm setting, you can turn the Crock Pot to low again for 5-10 minutes.
- Want these flavors on whole chicken breasts instead? My bacon ranch chicken recipe is just that.
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.
Crack Chicken (Crock Pot Recipe)
Make my easy crack chicken recipe in the Crock Pot with just 5 minutes of prep! It's creamy, cheesy, and so addicting for the whole family.
Instructions
[ See step photos See my tips ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Place the chicken breasts into a slow cooker in a single layer. Sprinkle dried herbs and spices on top.
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Arrange the pieces of cream cheese evenly over the chicken.
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Cook the chicken for 2-3 hours on high or 4-5 hours on low, until the chicken is easy to shred.
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Shred the chicken with two forks, and stir to mix with the cream cheese.
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Stir in the shredded cheddar, bacon, and green onions.
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If you like, sprinkle more shredded cheese on top, close the lid, and keep on warm for 5-10 minutes to melt. (This is optional.)
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: ~5 1/2 ounces, or 1/10 of the entire recipe
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the perfect creamy, tender texture (without dryness), how to know when it’s done, suggestions if you like it spicy, and more.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. They reheat well, so you can serve them in the same ways I have listed above, but I’ve also turned them into soup by simply adding chicken broth and heating.
- Reheat: You can use the microwave, the stovetop, or even your slow cooker again. Add an extra splash of broth if it seems dry.
- Freeze: You can keep crack chicken in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the refrigerator overnight and give it a stir after reheating. I like to portion it into these cubes.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Ebook Bundle!
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Crack Chicken (Crock Pot Recipe)
369 Comments
Trish M
0Made this for lunch today. It was very tasty!
Wholesome Yum D
0I’m glad you enjoyed it, Trish! Thanks for giving the recipe a try!
Debby Martin
0Can you use coconut milk instead of cream cheese to make it dairy free?
Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Debby, I think you can but the result would be more runny. A dairy-free cream cheese substitute might be a better alternative. Let me know how it goes if you try either one of these options.
Jennie
0Hi! I don’t have a slow cooker or an instant pot. How can I make this without those?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
1Hi Jennie, You can cook on very low heat on the stovetop instead.
Michelle
0My boyfriend is diabetic and I am an AuDHD so Keto crockpot and Insta pot recipes work best for us. We both loved this Crack Chicken! I did add extra pepper as well as some Red Pepper Flakes (that’s what I found in the spice tub) for extra heat. I also topped mine with a little onion salt for a touch more flavor.
Wholesome Yum D
0Michelle, I love hearing that it worked so well for both of you! Great idea adding the red pepper flakes for that extra kick.
Patti
0Delicious! And so easy to make. Or chicken, spices and cream cheese in the Crock-Pot, then forget about it for a few hours until you add the last ingredients. Easier if you have the bacon cooked ahead. But I just cooked it before starting the chicken.
Wholesome Yum D
0Thanks for sharing that, Patti! Sounds like you really made the process smooth and simple. I’m so glad it turned out delicious!
Pam
0I have made this by this recipe and another way by adding drained rotel tomatoes to spice it up. Delicious 😋 both ways. Thanks for this delicious recipe.
Wholesome Yum D
0Pam, I love that you’ve tried it both ways! Adding drained Rotel for a little spice is such a fun twist, and I’m so happy you enjoyed it either way.
Mark
0Hi Maya! Can this be done with boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead? if so, two pounds as well? Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Mark, Yes, absolutely, and yes, I would use the same amount. Please let me know how it turns out!
Holly
0Maya, I can’t use a slow cooker because of histamines. Can you recommend another way to do this recipe where the chicken is equally tender? or will it not work with another vessel because I definitely don’t want tough chicken… and chicken breast tend to dry out pretty easily. Thanks in advance
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Holly, You can use an Instant Pot instead! Use the same ingredients I have listed here, and follow the timing from my Instant Pot chicken breast recipe. Make sure to add the dairy only at the end, NOT under pressure. Please let me know how it turns out!
Jennifer V
0Had only drumsticks and slow cook on high for 4 hours. Kept other ingredients and amounts the same. Added fresh jalapeños before cooking because cream cheese and jalapenos go together so well and we like the kick it gives. Turned out excellent. Removed the meat from the bone, mixed back in with bacon and cheddar. Really good. Sometimes you have to pivot.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you for sharing, Jennifer! I’m so glad to hear this recipe worked well even with drumsticks. I bet the meat was extra juicy that way!
Bethany Sorrells
0This was a great recipe! The whole family liked it and it made for easy meal prep!
Wholesome Yum D
0That’s wonderful, Bethany! I love that your whole family enjoyed it and even better that it made meal prep easier.
JULIE DECASTRIS
0WOW this was amazing, even the grand kids loved it. Had mine over broccoli and cauliflower.
Wholesome Yum D
0I love hearing that, Julie! So glad it was a hit with the grandkids too, sounds perfect over broccoli and cauliflower.
Mary
0How do you serve it?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Mary, I have serving suggestions in the post.
Aleeks
0This was super easy and truly delicious! I put it on a tortilla and made a little quesadilla deal out of it. Also, just dipped crackers in there. Really good, could not have been easier, spices were on point.
Wholesome Yum D
0So glad you liked it, Aleeks! I love the idea of turning it into a quesadilla and using it as a dip. Such a fun way to enjoy it. Thanks for sharing!
Kelley
0This turned out amazing. Quick to put together. Let crock pot do its thing and add the last few ingredients. So easy and so gooooood!!!!
Wholesome Yum D
0Love hearing that, Kelley! Letting the crock pot do the work is always a win. So glad it turned out so good for you!
Linda
0Can this be made in an InstaPot pressure cooker? If so, what exact adjustments need to be made?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Linda, Yes, you can use the same timing as my Instant Pot chicken breast recipe.
mommad48
0Great on buns or snack crackers. Very delicious!
Wholesome Yum D
0Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it, buns or crackers both sound perfect!
Juanita Kirkpatrick
0What do you serve this with?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Juanita, I have a bunch of serving suggestions listed above – there’s a whole section on it! 🙂
Vinny
0Absolutely delicious!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Vinny!
Sara Dir
0So a ⅓ c. of the dry ranch seasoning? You mention that above, but then the actual recipe doesn’t show that. Thanks
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Sara, Yes, you can use 1/3 cup of dry ranch seasoning if you’re swapping that in as offered in my substitutions in the post. My recipe doesn’t use a pre-made mix by default, it just has a combination of spices that are normally found in ranch seasoning. Hope this helps clarify!
Holly Dunkin
0Hi! I hope you or a fellow maker see this quick. But when do you add ranch? I’m not a cook 😬 my husband does keto so was looking at recipes! Thank you!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Holly, This recipe does not have ranch dressing, it has a bunch of seasonings that are typically in ranch dressing, and these are listed on the recipe card with the instructions on adding them. Hope this helps!
Chris forbes
0How can I rate if you haven’t given it yet
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Chris, I assume you mean the recipe, and you can find it right on this page. Please see the recipe card above!