Easy 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 here on The Typical Mom blog. (affiliate links present)

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.

Crack Chicken Crockpot Recipe

• 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.

You may have a few questions before you move on and get started so let’s tackle those first:

How long do you boil chicken?

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.

How do you shred chicken breast?

When you slow cook it like this, or make Ninja Foodi crack chicken it will literally fall apart. Use two forks gently and it will shred with no effort at all.

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

1. Chicken breasts or chicken thighs will work for this – I typically use what is on sale
   1. boneless, skinless
2. Cream cheese is what makes it creamy, don’t use low-fat y’all
3. Cooked bacon or real bacon bits will work too
4. 1 ranch seasoning packet, or use 1.5 tbsp. of homemade ranch dip mix if you can’t find packets in store
5. Cheese, cheddar shredded is what we use
6. Garlic powder will add that bag of flavor
7. Green onions diced are optional

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. You can in fact make it yourself if it isn’t available or want to make it way cheaper in bulk.

We are talking about the dry mix shown above, not the bottle for your salad. If you cannot find it in the store where you are I have a quick how to make it here:

Homemade Ranch Seasoning

1. 1/2 c buttermilk powder
2. Just 1 tsp sea salt
3. 1 tbsp onion powder and garlic powder
4. 2 tsp dill
5. 1/2 tsp pepper
6. 1 tbsp parsley

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 to Make 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.

• Lay your boneless skinless chicken breasts (or you could use thighs if you prefer) on the bottom. Cut your room temp cream cheese into 4 equal pieces and place on top of your meat.
• Sprinkle ranch dressing packet seasoning on top of that. Then shredded cheeses go on top of everything else.
• If you’d like to add a bit of garlic powder and/or pepper now would be the time to do so.
• Close lid and set to 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours cooking time. I always opt for low and slow when it comes to meat.
• Shred the chicken and stir in bacon and/or green onions at this time. Serve on slider buns, with chips as a dip, or low carb dinner.

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 fork shred chicken?

Here are a few more questions you might ask. You don’t have to buy fancy fork shredding devices to make this happen, 2 forks work just fine.

• 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 if it is not plain shredded chicken

This is a great recipe to serve when you have people over, or to bring to a potluck. Why?? Because you can double this if need be and cook a bit longer for larger crowds. It is also a pretty cheap crockpot recipe because there are very few ingredients and you can find store brands for almost everything.

How do you serve crack chicken?

It is totally up to you of course but I have a few suggestions if you’re looking for a few new ideas:

1. Inside lettuce wraps
2. In small rolls for 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.

Crack Chicken Sliders

If you’re looking for a keto friendly version you can use lettuce wraps instead of making Hawaiian rolls as you would with sliders. Chicken broth or water are not needed to make this because when the meat cooks it will create the liquid it will need to cook properly and become creamy.

Cooking chicken breasts and thighs in a slow cooker can yield delicious and tender results, but there are some differences to consider due to the variations in their fat content and cooking times. Here’s a comparison…..

Chicken Thighs Crack Chicken

• Chicken breasts are leaner than thighs and contain less fat. They are a healthier option for those watching their fat intake.
• Breasts typically cook faster than thighs in a slow cooker. They can become tender and fully cooked in 3-4 hours on the high setting or 6-8 hours on the low setting.
• White meat like this has less fat, which means they can dry out more easily during slow cooking. To prevent this, consider using boneless, skinless chicken breasts and using a flavorful cooking liquid (broth, sauce, or soup) to keep them moist.
• They work well in recipes where you want a lean, shredded chicken for dishes like chicken tacos, sandwiches, or salads. They are also suitable for recipes where you prefer a milder chicken flavor.

Chicken Thighs in Slow Cooker is a great alternative with multiple benefits (but some differences) such as;

• Chicken thighs are darker meat and contain more fat than breasts. This higher fat content can add flavor and tenderness in chicken bacon ranch sliders.
• Thighs can withstand longer cooking times in a slow cooker without drying out. They are often cooked on the low setting for 6-8 hours.
• Due to their higher fat content, dark meat tend to be more flavorful and juicy when slow-cooked. They absorb and retain flavors well, making them a great choice for dishes with rich sauces or seasonings.
• Excellent for recipes where you want a more robust chicken flavor and tender, fall-apart meat.

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?

Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply looking to reduce your dairy consumption, these dairy-free cream cheese alternatives can be used in a variety of recipes, including dips, cheesecakes, spreads, and more.

Dairy free alternatives to cream cheese

1. Almond Cream Cheese is made from almonds, this dairy-free cream cheese alternative has a slightly nutty flavor and a creamy texture. It’s suitable for spreading on bagels, toast, or using in recipes that call for cream cheese.
2. Cashews can be blended into a creamy spread that works well as a lactose free substitute. It’s versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
3. Soy-based spreads are one of the most widely available options. It has a similar texture to traditional and is suitable for a wide range of applications.
4. Some are made from coconut milk or coconut cream, this alternative has a mild coconut flavor. It’s perfect for adding a tropical twist to both sweet and savory recipes.
5. Silken tofu can be blended with lemon juice, salt, and other flavorings to create a creamy substitute. It’s lighter in texture and works well in recipes like cheesecakes and dips.
6. Several brands produce lactose-free cream cheese alternatives, and they come in various flavors, including plain, chive and onion, and strawberry. Lactaid and Daiya are popular brands that focus on this.

You can make your own too at home using ingredients like soaked cashews that have been drained and blended, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and seasonings. Homemade versions allow you to customize the flavor and consistency.

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.

Print recipe below and enjoy.