Crockpot Crack Chicken Recipe

Crockpot crack chicken is great made into sandwiches or little appetizer sliders! Tender cream cheese with frozen chicken or fresh will become shredded to perfection in your slow cooker. If you fell in love with our Ninja Foodi crack chicken but want it to slow cook all day this is the recipe to follow.

Have you made Crockpot crack chicken yet?? Just shred your meat and put it on some buns for dinner and you’re set for all the YUMs! Just one of our favorite crockpot recipes we make almost every single month

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

This is kinda’ beyond incredible and I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t love it. If you haven’t tried what some people call cream cheese chicken it is addicting. I assure you that you’ll want seconds and thirds again. Served on small slider buns, hamburger, or inside lettuce wraps you’re in for a treat.

Crack chicken ingredients are similar to our Instant Pot crack chicken casserole but without the noodles. We’ve made this in a pressure cooker too and that was a huge hit. This takes longer but is fantastic for a low and slow cook all day kinda’ meal you throw in in the morning.

We used our slow cooker this time but I’ll share how you can make this in your pressure cooker and/or with noodles too!

Choose either chicken breasts or thighs. I love thighs when I have them on hand. They’re cheap and super tender. If you tend to veer away from dark meat, don’t. Once I gave them a real try I never looked back. The amount of flavor they offer is way more than white meat. I suggest you try both and decide for yourself.

If you find either on sale I’d stock up. You can freeze them inside freezer bags and they’ll last for months which means fewer trips to the store which is great. Then when you are ready you just separate them so they cook evenly and you can use them as is without defrosting if need be.

Crockpot Crack Chicken with Frozen Chicken Breasts

Thawed meat is always better in the end but I have definitely had days where that was not possible. Thus, Crockpot frozen chicken was used and the timing literally did not change. I know, that is a mind blower but totally true. Use medium sizes vs. unusually large too. If you have never had a bite full of this addictive dinner let’s talk about it for a hot second here.

There is NO need to boil beforehand with this method. BUT if you want to make it quicker on the stovetop you can do so. You’ll make boiled shredded chicken according to our directions, drain, and add other ingredients.

Ready for the ultimate easy cheap crockpot meal that costs under $20 too?? This is one of the best crockpot chicken recipes.

This is what many people call this especially if they are around kids. The other can be skewed into something it is not so either one works. I mean anything with this creamy dairy product comes out mouth watering. Period. We have a lot of simple Crockpot Chicken Recipes with Cream Cheese recipes on our site but this would definitely be my kids’ favorite one.

Cream Cheese Chicken Ingredients

Chicken breasts or chicken thighs will work for this – I typically use what is on sale but either way you are going to want boneless, skinless so it shreds easily when done.

Can you use chicken thighs?

Yes you could certainly use thighs if you prefer dark meat. I still recommend without the bones so you have an easier time shredding when done and soaking up the creamy sauce before serving.

You’ll want to add 1 ranch seasoning packet, or use 1.5 tbsp. of homemade ranch dip mix if you can’t find packets in store. I buy this stuff in bulk because I use it so often. I have had people who live in countries outside of the U.S. say they have never heard of it though. So I have help for y’all below on how to make it yourself.

Homemade Ranch Seasoning

You just mix together; 1/2 c buttermilk powder + 1 tsp sea salt + 1 tbsp onion powder and garlic powder + 2 tsp dill + 1/2 tsp pepper and 1 tbsp parsley

Cream cheese is what makes it creamy, don’t use low-fat y’all it is better off regular in a block, not whipped either.

Dairy free alternatives to cream cheese

Almond Cream Cheese is made from almonds, this dairy-free cream cheese alternative has a slightly nutty flavor and a creamy texture. Soaked cashews can be blended into a creamy spread that works well as a lactose free substitute too. It’s versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Then you want to either cook bacon to chop up or real bacon bits will work too but real is better overall.

Cheese, cheddar shredded is what we use. You can use a dairy free alternative though honestly it doesn’t melt very well. Garlic powder will add that bag of flavor

You could dice some chives and add some into the mix as well as some on the top when served. These just add a bit of texture and color mostly. I will say this isn’t the prettiest dish as is. It is all white with no variance and kinda’ mushy in appearance so if you want to pretty it up this will work nicely. Personally I really don’t care but you might.

Beyond this you come to how it is served. Traditionally just grab some hamburger buns and there you go. Other popular ideas in my house are toasted open faced bagels or Hawaiian rolls which bring a bit of sweetness to the overall dish. Use it to make our Pressure cooker crack chicken dip too.

How Long to Cook Crack Chicken in Crockpot

It is not totally necessary but for easier cleanup I suggest spraying the inside of your pot with non stick spray. Some use crockpot liners but I am not a fan of cooking with plastic of any kind. Totally up to you though. Then once everything is added, close lid and set to 6-8 hours if you want to shred mark for longer.

Can you cook on high?

If you really must cook on high it would need 3-4 hours cooking time. I always opt for low and slow when it comes to meat otherwise it tends to dry out and not be as tender but yes this is possible.

I kid you not the ranch flavor is not overpowering but provides a TON of flavor that takes this chicken slow cooker recipe over the top.

You can use this mixture to make Instant Pot chicken crack soup too. Use ALL dry ingredients instead of the packaged type. Mix and use 1.5 – 2 tbsp for this recipe. If you live in a rural area you may not be able to find dry ranch mix so this can come in handy.

How do you serve crack chicken?

Use one hand or a fork to hold the chicken steady. With the other hand use another fork to scrape and tear the meat into small shredded pieces. Then mix with other ingredients so that the sauce coats every piece well. Then serve a number of different ways like;

1. Inside lettuce wraps
2. In small rolls for chicken bacon ranch sliders
3. Heaped on to hamburger buns for sandwiches
4. Served over Instant Pot white rice

You can serve it alone with a side of steamed vegetables for a healthier choice too. That is probably my youngest daughters favorite way to go.

Looking for comfort food?? This is it!! If you’re looking for a healthy crack chicken recipe why bother??? This is all about creamy chicken PACKED with flavor, a guilty pleasure of sorts. We all need a cheater meal and this one is so worth it. Looking for other easy crockpot chicken recipes?

Other Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

We love our crockpot chicken cacciatore. That one is on the healthier side of things. Our crockpot orange chicken recipe is simple with 3 ingredients. Chicken soup in the crockpot isn’t for just those days when you’re feeling under the weather. Slow cooker chicken thighs are always an easy one too.