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Creamy Crockpot Crack Chicken Recipe with Ranch Bacon and Cheddar

creamy crockpot crack chicken - featured image

A creamy, cheesy, and savory slow cooker chicken dish with ranch seasoning, bacon, and cheddar cheese that’s perfect for busy weeknights and comforting dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 packet (1 ounce or 28g) ranch seasoning mix
  • 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (120ml) sour cream
  • 1 to cups (115-170g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: chopped green onions or fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook 6 slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Drain on paper towels, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine 8 ounces softened cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, 1 packet ranch seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional), and freshly ground black pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended.
  3. Place 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of a 4-6 quart crockpot. Pour the creamy ranch mixture evenly over the chicken, spreading it to coat all pieces.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred with a fork.
  5. Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the crockpot. Stir well to mix the shredded chicken with the creamy sauce.
  6. Stir in 1 to 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese and the chopped bacon pieces. Cover and let sit on LOW for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts into the sauce.
  7. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

Notes

Use softened cream cheese to avoid lumps. Save a teaspoon of bacon grease for extra flavor if desired. Shred chicken directly in the crockpot to keep juices. Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for best melting. Avoid opening the crockpot lid during cooking to maintain temperature. For dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and sour cream with coconut or cashew cream and use dairy-free cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot chicken, crack chicken, creamy chicken, ranch chicken, bacon chicken, cheddar chicken, slow cooker recipe, easy dinner, comfort food