If you’re looking for a new twist on chicken, this Crack Chicken With Rotisserie Chicken recipe is just what you need. Jessica Seinfeld’s Foolproof recipe is super easy to make and will be an instant hit with the family.
This is for all you chicken salad lovers out there! This recipe combines two of my favorite things: crack chicken and rotisserie chicken. There’s nothing better than two recipes combined into one delicious meal. Crack Chicken is a staple in my home that’s great as an appetizer or paired with your favorite sides.
Crockpot Crack Chicken (CROWD FAVORITE!)
Shredded chicken added to a ranch flavored creamy sauce with bacon and cheese; one bite and you’ll be hooked on Crockpot Crack Chicken!
Crockpot Crack Chicken is going to be the most popular party food you have ever made! I made this for a work party one time and had to print out 20 copies of the recipe before the party was over because everyone wanted it!
There is a little bit of everything in this shredded chicken slow cooker recipe, and you can serve it so many different ways! I have even eaten the leftovers cold straight out of the fridge and it is was still amazing.
Who doesn’t love anything the classic combination of cream cheese with ranch, and bacon, all mixed together for a little bit of everything in each bite? It s a family favorite in our house.
Another great reason folks love this one is you can keep it keto friendly by serving it with vegetables as a dip or just eat it with a fork.
If you’re pressed for time use a rotisserie chicken and shred the meat and then add everything else into your crockpot and follow the directions.
My personal favorite way to shred the chicken after cooking it is to use my mixer, a hand mixer or stand mixer will work, just throw all the cooked chicken in the bowl and slowly start to “beat” it until it is all shredded.
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It is much faster and easier, especially if you double this crack chicken recipe.
Why do they call it Crack Chicken?
Well, this one gets a few people so you can call it whatever you want (loaded chicken, totally amazing chicken), but it is because one bite and you’re addicted and can’t stop eating it!
You have delicious shredded chicken with the zing and creaminess of ranch dressing/dip, add in the salty crunch of bacon pieces, and the stringy melted cheese, and don’t forget the crisp green onions; you have everything delicious all in one pot, and you get a little in each bite you take.
I have never seen anyone able to stop at one bite or one slider, they always reach for more!
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Ingredients
- chicken
- ranch seasoning
- cream cheese
- cheddar cheese
- broth
- bacon
Chicken – You can start from scratch with raw boneless skinless chicken breast or you can use previously cooked chicken. If I am in a hurry, I like to use a rotisserie chicken and it just takes minutes after you get started.
Ranch Seasoning – You can use a packet of ranch dressing mix or make your own. I have a dip mix recipe right here!
Cream Cheese – Everything that is tasty has cream cheese in it! Don’t you agree?
Cheddar Cheese – This is the classic flavor combo but don’t be afraid to switch up your cheese with mozzarella or even pepper jack!
Broth – You can use water if you don’t have any on hand!
Bacon – It’s best to use real cooked bacon and not the fake bacon bits. They even have real bacon crumbles which will work well too as it is real bacon.
How to make Crack Chicken in a Crock Pot
First: Place chicken and sprinkle the ranch packet in a single layer on top of the chicken breasts in the crock pot. Pour broth over chicken.
Second: Add cream cheese. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
Third: Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred. Add back to the crockpot.
Fourth: Sprinkle with cheese and bacon (remaining ingredients). Cover and cook an additional few minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Fifth: Garnish the chicken mixture with more bacon and green onions. Serve as a dip or on slider buns (I love this on Hawaiian rolls.)
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Can you put raw chicken in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can absolutely put raw chicken in a slow cooker, you just want to make sure to cook it long enough that it is cooked all the way through.
If you are worried about it not getting up to temperature fast enough I would suggest cooking on High for the shorter amount of time, but either is safe.
Can I use bacon bits instead of cooking bacon?
I would not recommend bacon bits, the hard tiny pieces of bright red that don’t need refrigeration, they taste very fake.
If you can’t or don’t want to cook your own bacon I would get the bacon pieces that require refrigeration after opening, but they still are not as good as cooking bacon.
Can I make this on the stove top?
If you are going to make Crack Chicken on the stove top I would suggest cooking the chicken first and then adding the additional ingredients to a deep skillet and cooking over low to medium heat until everything is heated through and melted and able to be stirred easily to mix.
Is this keto friendly
Check your ranch mix to make sure it meets your keto recommendations and then yes, you can easily Check your ranch mix to make sure it meets your keto recommendations and then yes, you can easily keep this keto friendly by serving it as a dip with vegetables or eating with a fork instead of as a sandwich. It is definitely low carb!
How to store it
Crockpot Crack Chicken leftovers, if there are any, should be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days.
It will be quite thick so stir the creamy chicken well before serving again. Reheating can be done in the microwave or on the stove top.
What do you eat Crack Chicken with?
This addicting Crack Crockpot Chicken is excellent as a dip with crackers or vegetables, stuff a lettuce wrap, serve on crusty slices of bread, as a slider sandwich or regular sandwich between two hamburger buns, or you can eat it with a fork.
It is also a great baked potato topping if you are really feeling adventurous. I love to put Crack Chicken on a pretzel bun for a delicious sandwich.
Tapas Tips & Tricks
- use boneless, skinless chicken breasts to keep this crack dip from being greasy!
- do not over cook or the chicken will get tough.
- this works well in an instant pot too!
- cube the room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing
- try different cheeses for more flavor combinations.
- if you use precooked chicken you will need to adjust the cooking time.
- use real bacon if possible as bacon bits have an artificial taste.
- make this for sliders or as a dip
- this recipe is easily doubled!
CRACK CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Crack Chicken Casserole – creamy chicken casserole loaded with cheddar, bacon and ranch. Use a rotisserie chicken for easy prep! Chicken, cheddar, bacon, ranch seasoning, sour cream, cream of chicken soup. The whole family LOVED this easy chicken casserole. It is already on the menu again this week!
The BEST Chicken Casserole EVER
You are going to want to add this Crack Chicken Casserole to your menu ASAP! A creamy chicken casserole that is loaded with cheddar, bacon and ranch. YUM! I made this for lunch last week and we both absolutely LOVED it! I’m wishing I had the leftovers right now. It was seriously delicious.
Use Rotisserie Chicken in Casseroles
To cut down on the prep time of this casserole, I used a rotisserie chicken for the cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken is my go-to for cooked chicken in recipes. We always buy a couple of rotisserie chickens on our Costco trips and keep the meat in the freezer. It makes casseroles like this a breeze to make! I had this ready to bake before the oven had fully preheated.
Can I Freeze this Chicken Casserole?
Absolutely! I love to have easy casseroles in the freezer for a quick meal later and this casserole and it works great. I usually thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed below. If you are short on time, cover the casserole with foil and bake for about 20 minutes to thaw in the oven and then uncover and bake as directed. Just make sure the casserole is bubbly before removing it from the oven to serve.
CRACK CHICKEN SLIDERS
All your favorite ingredients join forces in these addicting Crack Chicken Sliders! These are guaranteed to be a new family favorite!
If you have never heard of, or worse- tasted, crack chicken before then it is my pleasure to introduce you. We eat a lot of chicken in my house. It is just so versatile and cheap.
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From air fryer chicken wings to chicken enchilada casserole, there is never a shortage of chicken recipes to choose from. This crack chicken recipe, however, is by far my family’s favorite.
Truth is, I have two favorite crack chicken recipes, and each has its own perks. Crock Pot Crack Chicken is the crockpot version of this popular dish. If you want a set it and forget it dinner for your meal planning, slow cooker crack chicken sliders might be your best option.
If your anything like me though and maybe forgot to plan ahead, these crack chicken sandwiches might just save the day! They’re made on the stovetop in about 20 minutes – if your bacon and chicken are cooked ahead of time.
WHAT IS CRACK CHICKEN?
People have been bringing Crack Dip, the simple combination of ranch dressing mix, crumbled bacon, and cheddar cheese, to pot lucks for years. Though Warm Cheesy Crack Dip serves well as an appetizer, I have always felt like it deserved its own spotlight. In evolving the addicting dip recipe, you can now enjoy a whole meal of cheesy, amazing goodness.
A google search of “crack chicken” will present a plethora of inspiring recipes to choose from. The idea behind being called “crack” recipes is they are super easy and super addicting.
You cannot go wrong with sliders in either department. Your chicken filling will steal the show on its own, but don’t stop there! Jazz up your sliders by dressing your buns with melted butter, parmesan, chives, and chopped garlic!
“CRACK” INGREDIENTS
“Crack” chicken is born from the combination of the best ingredients on earth!
BACON – Fresh, crispy bacon is a must- obviously! Never use pre-cooked bacon bits. Crack chicken sandwiches require the sacrifice of freshly cooked bacon. There is simply no way around it.
It is perfectly understandable if you do not want to hassle frying bacon though. Good news is that there is an equally delicious alternative. Cooking bacon in the oven is the easiest way to get the best results, and it lets you avoiding all the greasy mess and hassle of frying on the stovetop.
RANCH SEASONING – When we talk about the best ingredients on earth it is obvious that chicken crack seasoning must include ranch. You can find packets of powdered ranch seasoning in the dressing aisle of your local grocery store. That is, if you don’t already keep it on hand for all occasions.
CHEESE – For this crack chicken recipe, I use shredded sharp cheddar or colby jack. You will also need cream cheese to add the creaminess to this Crack Chicken Slider. I recommend regular cream cheese, but the low-fat options work just as well. Try to avoid whipped varieties though as they tend to create a different texture.
HOW TO MAKE CRACK CHICKEN
The beauty of this recipe is in how quickly you can throw it together. You can pick up a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store and turn it into something out of this world in no time at all. I use the breasts, legs, and chicken thighs from the rotisserie chicken.
But if you didn’t plan ahead, oil and season 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Then you can cook them right alongside the bacon. Then all you need to do is chop or shred the chicken once it’s cooled enough to touch.
- Start by cooking the bacon in a 425 degrees F oven for 20 minutes. Then remove it from the oven and let it cool. Reset oven down to 350 degrees F for the sliders, and then chop the bacon into pieces. You can set it aside for now.
- While your bacon is cooking, shred or chop your precooked chicken. I bought a rotisserie chicken to cut down the prep time. Just be sure to discard the skin if you’re doing this too.
- Next, grab a large pot and place it on the stove over medium heat. Add in the cream cheese, chicken broth, and ranch mix. Whisk those ingredients together for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture is nice and smooth.
- Now you’re ready to add the chopped bacon, chicken, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and green onions to the pot. Give that all a stir until it’s evenly combined.
- Start prepping the sliders by cutting the rolls in half so you have tops and bottoms. (Don’t separate the rolls from each other before or after cutting.) Pop the bottom half of the rolls on a baking sheet.
- Then you’ll spread the ranch chicken mixture over the roll bottoms. Sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken. Then finish by putting the top halves of your buns in place.
- In a separate bowl, melt the butter and then stir in the minced garlic. Brush this butter mixture over the top of your buns and finish by sprinkling parmesan cheese and chives over the top.
- Next, bake then sliders for about 8-10 minutes. The cheese will be melty and the tops will be golden brown when they’re ready.
- Then all you need to do is remove the Crack Chicken Sliders from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before cutting them into individual sliders.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CRACK CHICKEN SLIDERS
These delicious sliders will fill you up all on their own, but who doesn’t love a good sidekick to the perfect entree? Since we are already on the easy recipe kick, why not add some citrus cilantro slaw. This slaw can be thrown together in just 5 minutes and the citrus component is a great balance to the creamy, cheesiness of the chicken.