This Ranch Chicken Crockpot recipe is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor—an effortless weeknight dinner made right in your slow cooker! With tender, pull-apart chicken, crispy bacon, melty cheese, and a creamy ranch mixture, every bite is hearty and comforting. This dish is also known as Crack Chicken—and it’s easy to see why it’s so addictive!
Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or prepping a cozy family dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed hit. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do all the work!
🧄 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Minimal Prep – Just 5-10 minutes of prep before the slow cooker takes over.
- Ultra Creamy and Cheesy – Loaded with cream cheese, cheddar, and ranch seasoning.
- Versatile – Serve it over rice, noodles, on buns, or as a dip with crackers.
- Family-Friendly – Kids and adults love the rich, cheesy flavor.
🍗 Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this satisfying crockpot chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs/tenderloins)
- 12 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
- 2 Tbsp ranch seasoning (powdered mix)
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 8 oz bacon, chopped and cooked (try air fryer bacon!)
- 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby jack, or a Mexican blend)
🥣 How to Make Ranch Chicken in the Crockpot
- Add to Crockpot: Place the chicken, cream cheese, garlic, ranch powder, butter, broth, salt, and pepper into your slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for 6–7 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken and shred with two forks.
- Finish with Cheese & Bacon: Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot. Stir in cooked bacon and shredded cheese.
- Melt & Serve: Let the cheese melt for a few minutes, then serve hot.
🥪 Serving Ideas
This dish is as versatile as it is delicious! Here are some tasty ways to serve it:
- Over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes
- On sandwich buns or slider rolls
- As a dip with crackers or chips
- Wrapped in tortillas or lettuce leaves
- Over egg noodles or oven-baked potatoes
- Paired with a fresh green salad
❄️ Storage & Reheating Tips
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. Add a splash of broth if it thickens too much.
📝 Recipe Tips & Variations
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Lower fat: Use reduced-fat cream cheese or swap with Greek yogurt.
- Gluten-free: Ensure all ingredients (especially Ranch powder) are certified gluten-free.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?
The internal temperature should reach 165°F. It should shred easily with forks.
Can I use frozen chicken?
For food safety, it’s best to thaw chicken before placing it in a slow cooker.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! This reheats beautifully. Make it 1–2 days in advance and store in the fridge.
🐓 More Crockpot Favorites
If you love easy slow cooker meals, try these next:
- Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
- BBQ Pulled Chicken
- Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
- Slow Cooker Roast Beef
- Creamy Potato Soup
🖨️ Printable Recipe
Ranch Chicken in the Crockpot (Crack Chicken)
Cheesy, creamy slow-cooked chicken packed with ranch flavor, crispy bacon, and melty cheese!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz cream cheese, room temp
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp ranch seasoning powder
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 8 oz bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1½ cups shredded cheese
Instructions:
- Add chicken, cream cheese, garlic, ranch powder, butter, broth, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high 3–4 hours or low 6–7 hours.
- Remove chicken and shred.
- Return shredded chicken to the crockpot, stir in bacon and cheese.
- Cook until cheese melts. Serve and enjoy!