Crack Chicken Chili is the most flavorful bowl of chili you will ever have. Topped with melted cheese, crispy bacon, and my homemade version of healthy ranch dressing, you will have this recipe on repeat for sure!
So, this crack chicken chili recipe is now on my rotation of healthy dinner ideas. This recipe makes a ton of extra creamy chicken so I had enough to eat for lunch the next couple of days and we all know I love my leftovers.
They call this crack chicken because once you start eating you pretty much can't stop. Each bite is better than the one before. It has everything that is yummy and addicting! Each bite is filled with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and my healthy version of homemade ranch dressing!
If you love healthy chicken recipes then you should try my Coconut Crusted Chicken Strips and my Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sliders!
Table of contents
Ingredients for this dish
Below is a photo of all the ingredients you will need with labels included. Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom for measurements.
- chicken breast - boneless and skinless and all fat trimmed off
- corn - one 15 oz can of sweet whole-kernel golden corn, drained
- black beans - one 15 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- diced tomatoes - one 15 oz can of diced tomatoes, not drained. You want to keep the juices that come in the can and mix them into your chili.
- chicken broth - I prefer low sodium. This way you can add as much salt as you desire.
- turkey bacon - 4 slices cooked, cooled, and chopped into bites sized pieces. I like using turkey bacon over pork bacon because it has fewer calories and less fat.
- cumin - one my favorite spices to use. Cumin has a rich, earthy, and hearty flavor with a hint of citrus.
- chili powder - this spice gives the chili its Tex-Mex flavor.
- onion powder, onion flakes, dill, parsley, garlic powder, and chives - the ingredients I use instead of using a package of store-bought ranch seasoning.
- cream cheese - one 8 oz package
- shredded cheddar cheese - you can either buy a block and shred it yourself or buy the cheese already shredded for your convenience.
- plain Greek yogurt - optional topping in place of sour cream.
How to make crack chicken chili
Step-by-Step directions below!
Step 1 - Place your chicken breast at the bottom of your slow cooker and top with corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, onion flakes, dried dill, dried parsley flakes, garlic powder, chives, salt, and pepper.
Step 2 - Top with your cream cheese and chicken broth.
Step 3 - Cover the lid and set the slow cooker on low for 4 hours or high for 8 hours. Meanwhile, cook your turkey bacon on a non-stick skillet. Once cooked let cool between 2 pieces of paper towel to absorb any excess grease. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
Step 4 - Using 2 forks shred your chicken pieces either in the slow cooker or remove them and shred them in a bowl one by one then add them back to your slow cooker. Stir cheddar cheese and turkey bacon into chili.
Step 5 - Serve in bowls topped with more cheddar cheese (if desired), chives, and plain Greek yogurt.
Substitutions
Here are a few swap ideas if you don't have the ingredients listed.
Chicken Breast - you can swap out raw chicken and use rotisserie chicken. This will cut your cooking time way down. Just add all your ingredients and set on high for only about an hour or until heated through. I would recommend making your chicken chili on the stovetop instead of the crockpot if you choose to use rotisserie chicken. You can also use ground chicken.
Turkey Bacon - you can most certainly use regular pork bacon here instead. Pork bacon has more of a crispy texture to it.
Can of Diced Tomatoes - this recipe calls for diced tomatoes, but if you only have fresh tomatoes on hand they will work as a great replacement. Just make sure you chop them up into small pieces then lay them on a paper towel and sprinkle them with salt. This process will help draw out excess water and bring the texture closer to diced tomatoes.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning - if you would rather cut a few corners and ingredients you can just buy a packet of ranch seasoning. If you choose to do this then omit the parsley, dill, onion powder, onion flakes, garlic powder, and chives.
What is crack chicken
This recipe gets its name because once you start eating it it's tough to stop. Crack chicken is absolutely perfect for those of you trying to eat a healthy balanced diet.
"Crack" actually is the flavor of the combination of ingredients. Those ingredients are cheese, homemade ranch dressing, and bacon!
How can the kids help
This is an easy recipe to include your children in. Since it's chili everything is thrown into the slow cooker and then you set it and forget it 😉 Have your kiddos help you toss all ingredients into the crock pot!
Tips and FAQ's
You might not have any leftovers if you love this recipe as much as my family does. If you do need to heat it up for a number of people then place it in a pot on the stove set on medium heat and stir it until heated through.
If you only need one serving then scoop some into a bowl and heat it up in the microwave. If you use the microwave heat it up in 30 seconds increments stirring it in between.
Pour your cooled creamy crack chicken chili into an air-tight container and keep in your fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze this dish by pouring the cooled chili into freezer bags and sealing them shut. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Add all ingredients to a large pot set at medium-high heat. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and you are able to shred it easily.
Other chicken recipes you will also LOVE
If you give this recipe a try don't forget to rate the recipe below! Always love hearing what you all think. You can also Stay in touch with me through social media on @Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my healthy recipes!
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Chili
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breast boneless, skinless, and all fat trimmed off
- 15 oz can of sweet whole-kernel golden corn drained
- 15 oz can of black beans rinsed and drained
- 10 oz can of diced tomatoes NOT drained
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 slices turkey bacon cooked, cooled, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion flakes
- 1 tsp chives
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- 8 oz package of cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- plain greek yogurt optional topping
Instructions
- Step 1 - Place your chicken breast at the bottom of your slow cooker and top with corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, onion flakes, dried dill, dried parsley flakes, garlic powder, chives, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2 - Top with your cream cheese and chicken broth.
- Step 3 - Cover the lid and set the slow cooker on slow for 4 hours or high for 8 hours.
- Step 4 - Meanwhile, cook your turkey bacon on a non-stick skillet. Once cooked let cool between 2 pieces of paper towel to absorb any excess grease. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 5 - Using 2 forks shred your chicken pieces either in the slow cooker or remove them and shred them in a bowl one by one then add them back to your slow cooker.
- Step 6 - Stir cheddar cheese and turkey bacon into chili.
- Step 7 - Serve in bowls topped with more cheddar cheese (if desired), chives, and plain greek yogurt.
Notes
This is an easy recipe to include your children in. Since it's chili everything is thrown into the slow cooker and then you set it and forget it 😉 Have your kiddos help you toss all ingredients into the crock pot!
Nutrition
About the author
Jillian is the creator of Jillian's Healthful Eats. She is the one who cooks all the meals, develops all the recipes, takes all the photographs, and washes all the dishes! She is a very busy wife and mother of 4 who enjoys cooking with her children and instilling in them her own love for health and nutrition!
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