Creamy shredded chicken with bacon and ranch made in the crock pot creates an amazing family meal. This Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch recipe is packed with flavor and is requested again and again!
Recipe for Chicken Bacon Ranch in the Slow Cooker
Chicken breasts covered with ranch seasoning, cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese and bacon in the slow cooker is one of the best meals our family makes! We love to make sandwiches, sliders or serve this chicken over pasta.
Our family calls this Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch, but it is also known as crack chicken. We love the burst of amazing flavors in every bite! Whatever you call it know that this shredded chicken is too good to eat just one or two bites!
Ever since making these Chicken, Bacon and Ranch Sliders and Chicken Bacon Ranch Stromboli I’ve been craving this fantastic flavor combination again!
Chicken, bacon and ranch seasoning are just flavors that belong together. The slow cooker seems to be the easiest way to prepare this recipe!
We will often add a third chicken breast to the crock pot just to create more leftovers. Extra shredded chicken with bacon and ranch is great baked in a taco shell and topped with chopped tomatoes and avocados.
Ingredients Needed to make this Recipe
- Chicken breasts
- Packet of ranch seasoning
- Cream cheese
- Cream of chicken soup
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Bacon
- Buns or pasta to serve shredded chicken with
Variations of this Recipe
Ranch seasoning can be substituted for a packet of Italian salad dressing seasoning like in this Creamy Chicken Pasta. A more basic recipe for Shredded Chicken Sandwiches is also very popular.
The can of cream of chicken soup can be substituted for a second block of cream cheese. This creates an even richer flavor that is slightly less creamy. Eliminating the can of cream of chicken soup makes a keto crack chicken recipe.
This version of the recipe is very rich and creamy. Adding more chicken makes a meatier flavor. A little less chicken can be used to create a creamy dip that’s a lighter version of our Fiesta Sausage Dip or Sausage & Cream Cheese Dip.
If doubling the recipe be sure that chicken remains in a single layer in the slow cooker or the cooking times will need to be increased.
Crack Chicken Pasta
Pasta can be cooked to al dente and stirred into the crock pot or shredded chicken can be served over top of spaghetti.
The kids love all things pasta and I try to eat a lower-carb diet, so I prefer to keep the pasta and crack chicken separate. This makes reheating leftovers easier for me as well.
It’s a personal preference whether to stir the creamy chicken mixture and cooked pasta together or whether to serve in layers.
How to Make Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken
Lightly grease or line a slow cooker and add a single layer of chicken breasts in the bottom.
Grab a packet of ranch seasoning and sprinkle it evenly over the raw chicken breasts.
I like to take the cream of chicken soup and pour it into any gaps between the chicken breasts. The soup can also be poured over the top, it’s not a huge deal either way.
Then slice the cream cheese or cut into blocks and lay the pieces over top of the chicken.
Cover that slow cooker and cook on high for about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours or on low for about 5 to 7 hours. The chicken should be tender and easy to shred with a couple forks when it is fully cooked.
After shredding make sure to mix all of the yummy, creamy goodness together.
Then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top and finally add a beautiful layer of bacon. The cheese should melt within a few minutes from the heat in the crock pot. Putting the lid on top will help hold in the heat and speed up the process too.
More Yummy Family Meals:
Instant Pot Chicken & Bacon Carbonara is a spin on the popular Olive Garden meal that’s easy to enjoy at home.
Chicken Parmesan Pizza uses a loaf of garlic toast to make a simple meal everyone enjoys!
Air Fryer Brats with Peppers & Onions is a classic meal from Chef Alli that’s quicker in the air fryer!
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaves are another recipe that use bacon and cheese to make them so much more delicious!
Printable Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch
Ingredients
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 8 slices bacon chopped
Instructions
- Line or lightly grease slow cooker. Lay chicken breasts in a single layer.
- Sprinkle ranch seasoning evenly over chicken.
- Pour cream of chicken soup in the cracks and gaps around the edges of the chicken.
- Add slices of cream cheese across the top of the chicken.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 1/2 – 4 1/2 hours or on low for 5 – 7 hours. Use forks to shred chicken and mix everything together.
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese over top of the shredded chicken mixture, then sprinkle on the bacon. Return lid long enough for cheese to melt (about 5 minutes). Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Shredded chicken tastes great served on buttered and toasted buns, sliders or over pasta
- 8 slices of bacon is about half a pound of raw bacon or 3/4 cup of cooked bacon bits or chopped bacon
Equipment
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I made this it was so yummy. The only thing is it was a bit thick. Followed directions to a t but still thick and not saucy enough like that of a pasta sauce.