Description
Comfort meets convenience in this irresistible slow cooker crack chicken recipe that blends creamy textures with bold ranch and bacon flavors. Hearty protein and rich ingredients combine to create a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 lbs (900g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 (8 ounces/226g) blocks cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Garnishes:
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (or 3 tablespoons homemade ranch seasoning)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Nestle raw chicken breasts into the slow cooker basin, creating a single layer that ensures even cooking.
- Generously dust the chicken with ranch seasoning and garlic powder, ensuring complete flavor coverage.
- Strategically place cream cheese blocks directly atop the seasoned chicken, allowing them to gradually melt during cooking.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and initiate cooking process on low temperature for approximately 6-7 hours, or alternatively on high for 3-4 hours until chicken reaches optimal tenderness.
- Utilize two forks to meticulously shred the cooked chicken within the slow cooker, creating uniform, bite-sized pieces.
- Thoroughly incorporate the melted cream cheese with shredded chicken, stirring until achieving a smooth, cohesive texture.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon across the mixture, gently folding to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Replace lid and allow additional 10-15 minutes of cooking to facilitate cheese melting and ingredient integration.
- Enhance presentation by garnishing with freshly chopped green onions and parsley.
- Offer versatile serving options including soft buns, fluffy rice, crisp lettuce wraps, or as a decadent dipping accompaniment with crackers.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are similar in size for even cooking, preventing dry or undercooked sections.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for maximum richness and smooth texture that melts beautifully.
- Opt for low-sodium ranch seasoning to control salt levels and customize flavor intensity.
- For gluten-free version, serve in lettuce wraps or over cauliflower rice instead of traditional buns.
- Replace bacon with turkey bacon or coconut bacon bits for lighter protein alternatives.
- Fresh garlic cloves can substitute garlic powder for more robust, authentic flavor profile.
- Freeze leftover chicken in airtight containers for quick meal prep up to 3 months.
- Allow chicken to rest 10-15 minutes after shredding to absorb maximum seasoning and moisture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 120mg