Crock Pot Crack Chicken Pasta Recipe – loaded with tender chicken, smoky bacon, creamy cheddar cheese, and the zesty kick of ranch seasoning. The magic happens in the slow cooker, as the flavors meld together with cream cheese and chicken broth to create a rich and velvety sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. It’s a crowd-pleasing meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings with friends and family.
Plain Chicken participates in affiliate advertising programs. We may earn a commission when you make purchases through links on our site.
Remember this recipe.
Pin this recipe to your favorite board now to remember it later!
Pin This RecipeCheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta
Stop what you are doing and add this crockpot chicken pasta to your menu! This Crock Pot Crack Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food! Tender and juicy chicken, mixed with creamy cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and the zesty kick of ranch seasoning. And the magic ingredient here is the cream cheese, which creates a luscious and velvety sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. As the Crock Pot works its magic, the flavors meld together, creating a rich and oh-so-satisfying dish that’ll have you coming back for more. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, this pasta is sure to become an instant family favorite.
What does CRACK mean?
If a recipe has “crack” in the title it means that the recipe has cheddar, bacon, and ranch in the ingredients. It all started with my Crack Dip way back in 2007. I made the dip for a Titans football game. Everyone went crazy over it. We couldn’t stop eating it and said it was like crack. The name stuck.
According to the dictionary, the definition of crack is “of superior excellence or ability”. We think the flavor combination of cheddar, bacon, and ranch fits this definition! This recipe is most definitely of superior excellence!
How to Make Crock Pot Chicken Pasta
This dish is effortless to make with only a few ingredients in the slow cooker. Place boneless skinless chicken breasts in a 6-qt crock pot. Sprinkle with ranch seasoning. Pour water and chicken broth into the pot. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for about 4 hours. Remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it with two forks. Add cream cheese to the crockpot and whisk until incorporated. Add shredded chicken, cooked chopped bacon, and uncooked pasta noodles and stir. Cover and cook until the pasta is tender. Add a cornstarch slurry to the sauce and stir. Add shredded cheddar cheese. Stir and cook until the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- You can use any chicken in this recipe. Boneless skinless chicken breasts, boneless chicken chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins.
- Use turkey bacon and low-fat cream cheese for a reduced-calorie dish.
- I suggest using salt-free or low-sodium chicken broth.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix made with buttermilk powder, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chives, dill, salt, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
- If you are sensitive to ranch seasoning, adjust to your personal preference.
- Variations/Additions:
- onion
- bell pepper
- broccoli
- spinach
- green peas
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in the microwave.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Crack Chicken Pasta
Let’s talk about the perfect sides to create an epic meal! First up, you’ll want to serve a fresh and crisp garden salad with a tangy vinaigrette to complement the rich and creamy flavors of the pasta. Another fantastic option is some garlic bread – warm, buttery, and garlicky, it’s the ultimate companion for sopping up any leftover sauce. For a pop of color, consider adding some broccoli or green beans to the table. They’ll add a delightful balance to the rich pasta dish. No matter what you serve with this pasta, it is sure to earn a spot in your dinner rotation!
Looking for more side dish recipes? Here are some popular recipes from the website:
Oven Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes
Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes – takes one minute to toss together and is ready to eat in 15 minutes! SO…
7UP Biscuits
7up Biscuits Recipe – Light and fluffy. There only have four ingredients needed to make THE BEST biscuits EVER! Butter,…
Creamy Italian Dressing
Creamy Italian Dressing Recipe – our favorite salad!!! Romaine, tomatoes, thinly sliced seedless cucumbers, sliced banana peppers, croutons, parmesan cheese,…
Garlic Parmesan Skillet Bread
Garlic Parmesan Skillet Bread – refrigerated biscuits chopped and tossed in butter, garlic, italian seasoning and parmesan cheese. Baked in…
Crock Pot Crack Chicken Pasta
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 (1-oz) package ranch dressing mix
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cooked chopped bacon
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese
- 1 (16-oz) package penne pasta uncooked
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp water
Instructions:
- Place chicken in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with ranch seasoning. Pour chicken broth and water over the chicken. Cover and Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it with 2 forks.
- Add cream cheese to the pot and whisk to combine.
- Add shredded chicken, cooked bacon, and uncooked pasta to the slow cooker and stir.
- Cover the crockpot and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, until the pasta is tender.
- Whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water. Add to pasta sauce and stir.
- Add shredded cheese to the pasta mixture and stir. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
Notes:
- You can use any chicken in this recipe. Boneless skinless chicken breasts, boneless chicken chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins.
- Use turkey bacon and low-fat cream cheese for a reduced-calorie dish.
- I suggest using salt-free or low-sodium chicken broth.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
- If you are sensitive to ranch seasoning, adjust to your personal preference.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in the microwave.
Steph
Remember this recipe.
Pin this recipe to your favorite board now to remember it later!
Pin This Recipe
Sorry, but the wrong email address – If I use pre-cooked shredded chicken, how do I adjust the time on the recipe?
I’m not sure. Maybe cut the time in half? You just need to cook it until the soup and gravy mix are hot. Definitely add the chicken broth to the crock pot since you wont have any liquid from the chicken cooking.
why do you need to add the pasta cornstarch?
The cornstarch helps thicken the sauce.
Is there a substitute for cream cheese in this recipe?