Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Chili with Cream Cheese

Crack Chicken Chili with Ranch, bacon and cream cheese is an over-the-top white chicken chili that's SO good it's addictive! It's perfect for all the fall activities like tailgating, potlucks, and cozy dinners in front of a fire.

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Overhead view of a bowl of chili for the feature image.

It's amazing what a packet of Ranch seasoning and a sprinkle of bacon can do for this creamy chili!

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Table of Contents

🗝️ Key takeaways
🧾 Ingredients
📖 Variations
🔪 Instructions
🥫 Storage
💭 Things to know
👩‍🍳 FAQs
📚 Related recipes
🍽️ Serve with...
📞 The last word
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

🗝️ Key takeaways

Super easy to make!
Tailgating, game day, potlucks, the first chilly day of fall; serve this cream cheese chicken chili when you need to be warmed up from the inside out.
(techniques they'll learn or some other informative fact from the post)

Out of all the good chili recipes on the market, creamy crack chicken chili is a front-runner.

It's as easy as this slow cooker chicken and rice and perfect for chilly weather.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

📖 Variations

This slow cooker crack chicken chili recipe is one of my tried-and-true favorites., You can very easily swap in whatever you're craving.

I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken breasts because a few feed the entire family. You can use thighs or tenders, too.
If you want to use cooked chicken (like chopped rotisserie chicken) instead of raw, go ahead! However, in that case, I'd just let everything simmer in a dutch oven as the total cook time will be reduced!
Use fresh, frozen, or canned (and drained!) corn. It doesn't matter!
If you don't have black beans, you can use white chili beans, red kidney beans, or pinto beans.
If you can't find the Rotel tomatoes with green chiles, just use regular Rotel tomatoes and a separate small can of green chiles.
Out of chicken broth? Bummer! You can use water, but you'll miss out on a little bit of extra poultry flavor.
If you think traditional chili is too mild, add some cayenne pepper or increase the chili powder to meet your spice-lovin' needs.
I prefer a thicker chili, but if you like it soupy, add extra broth.
Have some extra produce to use up? Feel free to add some minced garlic, diced jalapeno, or bell peppers.
Instead of cheddar, you can stir in your favorite Mexican blend or shred a block of American cheese.
Don't forget to garnish with your favorite toppings! We like to add sour cream, green onions, fresh tomatoes, and extra hot sauce for the adults!
If you have leftover rotisserie chicken, you can stir that in at the end to bulk up your cream cheese chicken chili!

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Step by step images showing how to make this chili.

Place chicken in the crock pot and add a packet of ranch seasoning.
Add the remaining ingredients and place cream cheese on top.
After the cooking time has elapsed, shred the chicken.
Stir in shredded cheese and serve.

🥫 Storage

Because it's made in the slow cooker, cream cheese crack chicken chili is super flavorful and tender. For that reason, it also keeps really well.

Cool the chili to room temperature before storing it. Then, simply transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate or freeze.

In the fridge, it'll last for four to five days. Crack chicken chili in the freezer lasts for up to three months.

Let frozen chili thaw in the fridge, or feel free to use the defrost setting on your microwave. Then, you can reheat the leftovers in the microwave.

For larger servings, I recommend using the stove to evenly rewarm your chili. Pop it into a large pot set over medium heat and stir occasionally, until warmed through.

Overhead view of the slow cooker filled with chili.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: Buy the foil package cream cheese, not the kind in a tub. And, don't go for reduced fat, either. It'll make your crack chicken chili thin and watery.

Use two forks to easily shred the chicken into small pieces. Pull the forks away from each other to separate large chunks.
Crockpot chicken usually comes out falling-apart tender, so you likely won't have to do too much shredding at all.
Use the "warm" setting on your crockpot to keep the food hot for serving at parties—like when you're crowned the winner at the next chili cook-off!

👩‍🍳 FAQs

What's the difference between white chili and regular?

White chili generally usually uses chicken, broth, and green chilies. On the other hand, a regular chili is made with an emphasis on red chilies and tomatoes. Red chili more often is made with ground beef.

Does this taste like a white chicken chili recipe?

Yup, even though it has tomatoes in it! Since it's made with chicken and broth, crack chicken chili technically makes the cut as a white chili recipe.

What does the ranch dressing mix do?

Flavor, flavor, flavor! Notice how I didn't bother you in the recipe card with needing to add 17 different spices? Yeah, I prefer an easy chili recipe, too. You're welcome, honey!

Can I use frozen chicken?

According to the USDA, raw, fresh chicken breasts are best in a slow cooker. However, certain brands of slow cookers do allow you to cook meat from frozen. Check your user manual for specifics on how to adjust the cooking time.

Which cream cheese do you prefer?

The Philadelphia brand cream cheese tastes the best, but as long as you go for a full-fat variety, any brand will do.

Do the green chilis make it too spicy?

Nah, they're pretty mild. Plus, with the cream cheese and cool ranch seasoning, I'd rate it a 2-3 on a level of 1-10 spiciness.

A ladleful of chicken chili being removed from the slow cooker.

Creamy chicken recipes are served often at our table! I love this Louisiana-style chicken lazone because it has that creamy sauce - yum!

Chicken recipes are always the most popular, and this easy Crockpot Ranch Chicken is no different. The veggies cook right in there with the chicken, which makes Mom one very happy chef.
Slow-Cooker White Chicken Chili is always a popular autumn dinner in my household—we love the flavors of cilantro and pepper jack cheese!
Cowboy Soup is a midwestern-style chili and packed with tender beef, plenty of beans, and, of course, macaroni! Try it and you'll be hooked!