Chicken Bacon Ranch Crockpot
A convenient and crowd-pleasing chicken bacon ranch crockpot dish that combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch seasoning for effortless meal preparation.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for more flavor
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, reserve 2 tablespoons bacon grease
- 2 packets ranch seasoning mix or 4 tablespoons homemade ranch seasoning
- 8 oz cream cheese softened and cubed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional for topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the bacon until crispy, either in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or in the oven at 400°F for 15-18 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of bacon fat, and crumble the bacon.
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot and season both sides with 1 packet of ranch seasoning.
- Sprinkle the diced onion and minced garlic over the seasoned chicken.
- Pour the chicken broth around the chicken and drizzle the reserved bacon grease over the top.
Cooking
- Cover the crockpot and set to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Finishing Touches
- Once the chicken is cooked, shred it in the crockpot using two forks.
- Add cream cheese, remaining ranch seasoning, dill, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir to combine and continue cooking covered for 30 minutes.
- Mix in three-quarters of the crumbled bacon and Parmesan cheese; if using cheddar cheese, add it now.
Serving
- Serve the chicken mixture in a serving dish or directly from the crockpot, garnished with remaining bacon and fresh parsley.
Notes
This recipe can be adapted for lower-calorie, dairy-free, or lower-carb versions. Use turkey bacon, dairy-free cream cheese, or serve over cauliflower rice for a healthier option.