Crock Pot Crack Chicken (Printable)

Creamy bacon ranch chicken and pasta dish made effortlessly in your slow cooker with minimal prep required.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 8 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled

→ Dairy

03 - 8 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
04 - 1 cup sour cream
05 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
07 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Pantry

08 - 1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix
09 - 10 oz uncooked rotini or penne pasta
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How-To:

01 - Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer in a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken, then top with cream cheese cubes.
02 - Pour chicken broth around the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours (or HIGH for 2 hours) until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
03 - Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in sour cream, cooked bacon (reserving some for topping), and 1½ cups of cheddar cheese until well combined.
04 - While the chicken finishes cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 1-2 minutes less than package directions for al dente texture. Drain well.
05 - Add the cooked pasta and frozen peas (if using) to the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients with the creamy sauce mixture.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and reserved bacon over the top. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove the slow cooker insert carefully. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions just before serving. Serve hot while the cheese is still melted and creamy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does almost all the work while you go about your day
  • That crispy bacon on top against the creamy underneath is pure magic
  • Leftovers, if they even exist, reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Do not add the pasta until the very end or it will become completely mushy
  • Stirring in the sour cream at the end prevents it from separating during the long cook time
  • Cooking your pasta slightly underdone is the secret to perfect texture in the final dish
03 -
  • Spray your slow cooker insert with cooking spray before starting for easier cleanup
  • Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded for the smoothest melting results

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