Looking for a low-carb slow cooker dinner that doesn't taste like diet food? This keto crack chicken is rich and creamy (thanks to cream cheese), loaded with ranch flavor, and finished with bacon and cheddar.
The best part is that it's the kind of recipe that works for those following the keto plan, and everyone else, so you're not making two dinners. Before you start, check out the quick troubleshooting tips below (especially if you've had slow cooker chicken turn watery) so things go perfectly!
And if you're into this kind of low-effort, high-flavor dinner, don't miss our 20 Keto Crockpot Recipes - more slow-cooked goodness awaits!
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Discover a family-friendly Keto recipe for Crack Chicken in the Slow Cooker that everyone will love. No need for separate meals on your Keto diet - this easy slow cooker meal is for everyone! Chicken recipes for the win!
Why You'll Love Keto Crack Chicken
When it comes to crock pot recipes, the magic happens with the slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting. You just set it and forget it-and come back to a meal that tastes like you totally fussed over it.
This keto crack chicken is:
- Creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor - with crispy bacon bits in every bite (yes, please!)
- Effortless to make - the slow cooker handles everything while you go live your life
- Family-friendly - picky eaters, keto folks, and carb lovers alike will all ask for seconds
- Totally versatile - serve it in lettuce cups, low-carb tortillas, or over rice or pasta if you're not doing keto
- Perfect for leftovers - it reheats like a dream, and you'll be glad to have extra
Keto Recipes
Finding time to cook can be a real struggle. And when you're on the keto diet, it can be even more challenging to come up with easy and delicious meals. But there are plenty of simple and tasty Keto recipes out there that won't require hours in the kitchen. Here are some of our favorites:
- Keto Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
- Keto Chicken Nuggets
- Keto Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Keto Chicken Pizza Crust Recipe
- Keto Taco Stuffed Peppers
- Keto Chicken Crockpot Recipes
Ingredients For Keto Crack Chicken in the Crock Pot
- Chicken broth - You can use homemade or canned. Low-sodium chicken broth is fine if you are watching your salt intake.
- Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning packet - This is the kind you would use to make salad dressing. You can also make your own ranch seasoning with this recipe from Mad Creations.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts - Defrosted.
- Cream Cheese - Be sure to use full-fat cream cheese and it makes the chicken creamier. Cut the cream cheese into chunks.
- Bacon - Make sure the bacon is cooked and crumbled before adding it to the keto crack chicken in the crock pot.
- Shredded cheddar cheese - If you are on a low-carb diet, it is better to grate your own cheese. You can use medium of sharp cheddar cheese.
How to Make Keto Crack Chicken Crock Pot
1. Mix broth and seasoning mix
To make this keto chicken recipe, start by adding chicken broth to your slow cooker. Stir in a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix until it has fully dissolved into the broth.
2. Add chicken, cover and cook
Next, add the defrosted chicken breasts. Cover the crockpot with the lid to keep the heat and moisture inside. Let the chicken cook for 4 hours on high heat for a quicker meal or 8 hours on low heat for a more slow-cooked, flavorful result. Do not open the lid while the chicken is cooking.
3. Shred chicken
After the cooking time has ended, shred the chicken in the pot with two forks or use these shredding claws. They are so much easier on the hands and make the shredding job much quicker. When you shred the chicken, it will absorb any leftover liquid.
Chicken should shred easily. If it doesn't, cook 20-30 minutes longer.
4. Add cream cheese
Now it is time to add the cream cheese. Cut the block of cream cheese into chunks and add them to the shredded chicken in the pot.
5. Stir and add bacon
Stir to combine the cream cheese into the chicken. Cream cheese is fully melted when the sauce looks smooth. Crumble the bacon and add it to the mixture in the slow cooker.
6. Add cheese, stir, and cover
Next, add the shredded cheese and stir all the ingredients together to incorporate everything.
Place the cover back on the crock pot and cook the chicken in there for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cream cheese has fully melted.
You can sprinkle some more bacon on top of the crock pot crack chicken, since more bacon makes everything better!
Tips for best texture
- For thicker, less-soupy crack chicken: After you shred the chicken, leave the lid off for 10-15 minutes on High so excess liquid can cook off. Then stir in the cheddar.
- For ultra-creamy sauce: Cut the cream cheese into cubes before adding it, and stir until the sauce looks smooth with no white streaks.
- For extra flavor: Cook the bacon until crisp and stir it in at the end so it stays crunchy.
- For serving as a dip: Let it sit for 5 minutes after the cheese melts-this helps it thicken up before you scoop it.
What to Serve With This
This is creamy and salty, so it pairs best with sides that add freshness, crunch, or a neutral base:
- Low-carb bases: cauliflower rice - Easy Spanish Cauliflower Rice , mashed cauliflower - Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower Recipe, or zucchini noodles
- Crunchy scoops: lettuce wraps, keto tortillas, celery sticks, cucumber rounds
- Simple veggie sides: roasted broccoli, air fryer green beans, sautéed zucchini
- Not keto? serve it over rice, pasta, or on sandwich buns for the family
Optional: If you want it more meal-prep friendly, portion it into containers with a veggie and a base so lunches feel complete.
FAQs For Crockpot Keto Crack Chicken
It's safest to thaw the chicken first so it cooks evenly and the sauce doesn't get overly watery. If you must start frozen, plan on a longer cook time and check that the thickest part reaches a safe internal temperature before shredding.
Slow cookers vary, and chicken releases liquid as it cooks. If it looks thin after shredding, leave the lid off for 10-15 minutes on High to reduce, or stir in a little extra cheddar to thicken.
Yes, you can, since thighs stay extra juicy. Trim excess fat if you don't want the finished sauce to feel greasy.
Yes, as long as your slow cooker isn't packed too tightly. Keep the chicken in a single layer if possible, because if it's stacked, it may take longer for it to cook through.
Packets vary by brand and size. If you're using bulk ranch seasoning, start with the amount listed on your container that equals one packet, then taste after shredding and adjust gradually (it's easier to add than to fix chicken that is too salty).
The recipe makes 8 servings. For most slow cookers, that's roughly ½ to ¾ cup per serving, depending on how much liquid remains after shredding.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently (microwave at 50-70% power or low heat on the stove) and stir well. Cream cheese sauces stay smoother with slower reheating.
You can also freeze slow-cooker crack chicken. Place chicken in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Yes, you can follow our recipe for Instant Pot Crack Chicken. Just add the chicken, broth, and seasonings to the Instant Pot, then cook on high pressure for about 15 minutes. Quick release, shred the chicken, stir in the cream cheese and bacon, and you're good to go.
Keto Chicken Recipes
📖 Recipe
Keto Crack Chicken (Crock Pot)
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning packet
- 2 pounds of defrosted chicken breasts
- 8 oz package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese cut into chunks
- 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Add broth to slow cooker and whisk in ranch seasoning until dissolved.
- Add chicken in an even layer. Cover and cook 4 hours on High or 8 hours on Low (don't lift lid).
- Shred chicken in the slow cooker until it pulls apart easily.
- Add cream cheese. Stir until mostly melted and creamy.
- Stir in bacon and cheddar. Cover 5-10 minutes until fully melted, then stir smooth.
Notes
- If the sauce seems thin after shredding, cook uncovered 10-15 minutes on High to reduce.
- Chicken thighs work well; expect a slightly richer sauce.
- Serve as lettuce wraps, over cauliflower rice, or as a dip with celery/cucumbers.
- For serving size: about ½-¾ cup per serving (8 servings).
Nutrition
Optional Tools
If you make slow cooker recipes often, these are a few tools I reach for the most.
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Angie says
Are you being serious??? I mean really!
Jodi says
How is this Keto when the dry ranch dressing has maltodextrin?
Lauren says
Agreed! If anything it makes it extra opposite of Keto because of the insulin release associated with maltodextrin MSG and modified food starch! The rest of the recipe sounds tasty and you could just use your own seasonings and keep it keto friendly. Easy fix. Just leave out the ranch.
Jodie H says
Thanks, Jodi and Lauren, for catching this! Maltodextrin is a deal-breaker.
To get the same flavor, do a search for “make your own ranch seasoning” and use the buttermilk powder, herbs and other ingredients listed there. The result for this awesome-looking chicken recipe should taste exactly the same, and I’m looking forward to making a big batch of it for an after-church brunch Sunday!
Dianne Bailey says
I am so offended you would use a street drug in the name of this receipt ! You obviously have not suffered the heartbreak of addiction in your family or you would not glorify “crack” in this way.
Travis says
Clearly they call it “crack” chicken meaning it’s addicting. It’s not glorifying a street drug, If you don’t like the name it’s pretty simple...don’t cook it or call it something else. Take your offense elsewhere you sensitive snowflake!
Tamara says
Agreed Travis.... the name is in reference to the fact that once you’ve had it you’ll want it again and again.... Should we not say Crack the whip??? Or Crack an egg simply because the word Crack is in it??? I think not. I am sorry that someone took offense to this. Yes, drug addiction is a very detrimental thing but not enough to lash out at people for the name of a recipe.
TD says
OMFG, GET A GRIP and stop being so offended by everything.
Snowflake Buster says
Please stop. We all know someone suffering from addiction and if a title to a recipe triggers you then you need therapy. Did you try the recipe or not? Giving it 1 star because of the title and not the taste says more about you than it does the dish.
Brad Broyles says
I had such a big eyeroll at this comment I blacked out for a few minutes.....
Char says
Crack chicken is a type of preparation. You just put it in your pipe (the crock pot) and let the addiction soak in. Best served while screening "New Jack City".
Kitty says
LOL
Sadie says
Ive had family members with drug addiction and not once do I associate “crack” with a good recipe and get offended. Seriously?? That’s right along there with hair “braid appropriation”, not trying to be rude but if this sensitivity is what the future generations are gonna be accustomed to then we are all in trouble.
Gordon says
Completely with you on this. If it was called Opoid Chicken people would lose their freaking minds.
Abby says
Love this site, is there a way to subscribe via e-mail ??
Can't wait to make this crack chicken ! I've already put several others on my to make list.
Ashley says
Just started making this today, I’m sure it will be as yummy as it looks! I am wondering what the serving size it. It says 8 servings is the pot, I can see the nutrients, but how much is each individual serving size?
Thanks!
Jessica says
I’m curious too! Did you find out?
Jou says
I’m curious too! On my fitness pal it shows this recipe as 1/2 cup servings AND full cup servings. I need to know which is correct.
Christina Casalini says
Did anyone ever figure out how much per serving?
Angie says
Silly question I guess but how many servings does this make? I actually made it this afternoon for during the week and its amazing
Angie says
Never mind I see it now, had to grab my glasses. Still taste amazing
Sabrina says
I love a good slow cooker meal and the bonus that it's KETO is perfect!! I'll be making it this weekend!
Laura says
What a yummy and creamy recipe! It sounds delicious, and the keto aspect is super helpful!! I know many that will use this recipe for sure!
Lauren @ A Nerd Cooks says
Ummm hello! This looks absolutely delicious. I love using ranch seasoning packets in my cooking. They add so much flavor!
Stef says
I love how easy this recipe is! So few ingredients! I bet it tastes great too. Adding it to my to-try list for sure!