Crack Chicken {Crockpot}
Shredded Chicken Bacon Ranch Chicken is a delicious combination of shredded chicken, cream cheese, Ranch seasoning, cheese and bacon! It’s slow cooked in your crock pot and is the perfect quick and easy sandwich filling for busy weeknight meals or quick lunches.
If you love easy slow cooker chicken recipes I think you’re going to love this Chicken Bacon Ranch Chicken! Chicken simmered in a cheesy sauce flavored with bacon and ranch is always a favorite dinner at our house. I can pop the ingredients in the crock pot in the morning, let it simmer all day, and then we scoop it onto hamburger buns for a super easy dinner.
All you need for this easy slow cooker chicken are five simple ingredients and 10 minutes to get it prepped for the crock pot. We love it on hamburger buns, but you can also serve it over rice or pasta. It’s up to you!
WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE IT?
If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Ranch seasoning mix
- Cream cheese
- Bacon bits
- Cheddar cheese
Steps to Prepare
- Mix Ingredients – Place the chicken in the crock pot and top it with the ranch seasoning and cubed cream cheese.
- Cook – Turn the crock pot on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- Finishing touches – Shred the chicken and add the bacon bits and cheddar cheese. Cover the crock pot and cook the chicken for 10 minutes more. Serve on hamburger buns.
How long is it good for in the fridge?
Store the the chicken bacon ranch chicken in an airtight container and it will keep for three to four days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it! Just transfer it to a freezer-safe airtight container and it will keep for up to three months.
How do you shred chicken breast?
The easiest way to shred chicken is with a stand mixer! That’s right, throw your whole chicken breasts in there and turn it on low. Let it magically shred that chicken.
If you don’t have a stand mixer simply use two forks. Use one fork to hold the chicken in place and the other to shred the chicken into pieces. Once you’ve shredded the chicken you can add the bacon bits and cheddar cheese.
How do I boil chicken?
- Boiling chicken is very easy and a great way to cook it! Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a large pot. Cover them with water (you can also use chicken stock or broth) add seasonings like salt, pepper and dried herbs and bring the pot to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cover the pot with a lid.
- Depending on how many chicken breasts you are boiling, the cooking time will vary. For two to three chicken breasts it will take approximately 8 to 15 minutes depending on how thick they are. The best way to tell if your chicken is done is with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees F.
What should I serve with this?
It’s great served on hamburger buns with potato chips or French fries on the side. Or, add a vegetable side dish like Broccoli Salad, Roasted Cauliflower or 7 Layer Salad. If you don’t want to serve it on hamburger buns, you can also serve it with pasta or rice. Or, roll it up in tortillas for easy wrap sandwiches.
More delicious Crock Pot Dinners!
I know your family is going to love this easy shredded chicken with bacon, ranch and cheese – it’s one of our favorite slow cooker chicken recipes! Looking for more slow cooker dinner ideas? Be sure to check out some of my other favorite recipes.
- Crock Pot BBQ Chicken – Tender, juicy and delicious flavored with liquid smoke and smothered in barbecue sauce.
- Crock Pot Hot Ham & Cheese Sandwiches – Layers of tender ham, a cheese all cooked in your Crock Pot!
- French Dip Sandwiches – The roast beef is slow cooked all day in your crock pot so it’s falling apart tender when you pile it high in your toasted hoagie roll with melted provolone cheese.
Try it and love it? Rate it, please!!!? Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day! If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!!
Crack Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 oz packet ranch seasoning mix
- 2 packages cream cheese 8 oz each, cubed
- 2.8 oz bacon bits
- 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Spray crock pot with non stick spray. Place the chicken breasts on the bottom of the crock pot. Top with ranch seasoning and cubed cream cheese.
- Cook on low 6-8 hours or on High for 4 hours.
- When cooking time is done shred the chicken with two forks. Then add the cheese and bacon. Stir to combine and cook on low for about 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Serve on buns or how ever you would like to enjoy it!
With a houseful of boys, this is perfect for throwing together before a game and adding the cheese and bacon when we get back thru the door. We love it.
I am so glad to hear this is a crowd pleaser at your house LaRae! I love quick and easy meals for busy nights too!
I found this a little bland. It wasn’t as tender as most crockpot chicken either. I made 2 1/2 breasts and my family did not like it enough to eat it as leftovers.
I would not make this again but that’s just me.
Put your own seasoning on it… make it the way you’d want too with flavors!!
Great idea Julie!
Im wanting to make this but i am in Australia – i dont have access to ranch seasoning or dried buttermilk at my local supermarkets is there an alternative to the dried buttermilk i could use?
Hi Calina! I would recommend trying this homemade version of ranch seasoning my friend has on her site that doesn’t have dry buttermilk in it. I hope that helps! https://amindfullmom.com/diy-ranch-seasoning/
Would any type of cream cheese work such as whipped (that is what I have on hand)?
It might be a bit of a different texture but I think it would still work fine!
Hello my crockpot took a dive is there a way to cook it on the stovetop? I tried your recipe for chicken bacon ranch pizza and it was to die for!! Thank you so much for your time.
Yes, you can cook the chicken and shred it and then add all the ingredients to a saucepan and heat that way. Otherwise I also have an Instant Pot version! https://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/instant-pot-crack-chicken/
Hi! This was wonderful but made more than we will eat so I plan on freezing about half of it! When I go to reheat it, what is the best way?
You could reheat it in the crock pot or on the stove top. Either should work fine!