By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On January 15, 2023
A creamy Crack Chicken Chili that's easy to make and uses only a handful of ingredients.
This cream cheese chicken chili is perfect for anyone who loves a simple, filling, cheesy chili.
If you love spice and you're looking for more recipes, try this Instant Pot Carnitas next. You might also like this Smoked Queso Recipe.
This cream cheese crack chicken chili is filling and the combination of shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheese, crispy bacon and seasonings delivers a flavorful and impressive weeknight dinner.
Crack Chicken Chili Recipe
This cream cheese crack chicken chili recipe is savory, creamy, delicious and the ultimate comfort food. You can double or triple this crack chicken chili recipe to feed a crowd.
Load it up with your favorite chili toppings and serve it up with your favorite sides.
If you're like me, and you like spice, the green chiles in this crack chicken chili level up the spice factor. Want even more spice? Add a diced jalapeno. You can also increase the cayenne pepper to 1 teaspoon.
Don't like spice? Omit the cayenne and diced chiles from this crack chicken chili.
Can I use cooked chicken to make crack chicken chili?
Yes, if you have cooked and shredded chicken on hand, or maybe leftover rotisserie chicken, simply add it to your slow cooker and the end and stir until it's combined.
You can also use frozen chicken to make this crack chicken chili. If you decide to use frozen chicken, you will need to increase the cook time by 1 hour, for 5-7 hours total in the crockpot.
You'll still need to remove the chicken to the cutting board and shred it before adding it back to the slow cooker.
Ingredients in Crack Chicken Chili
Chicken breasts - Use skinless, boneless chicken breasts. You can also use thighs.
Chicken broth - For flavor and to pull the other ingredients together.
White beans - For flavor, texture, and fiber.
Corn - Use frozen, fresh, or canned corn.
Diced tomatoes - We like to use canned diced tomatoes but feel free to dice fresh tomatoes.
Diced green chiles - For flavor and spice.
Bacon - Cook your bacon crispy and crumble or chop before adding.
Dry ranch dressing mix - It wouldn't be a crack chicken chili without the ranch!
Cumin - For flavor and spice. Most chili recipes call for cumin.
Chili powder - It wouldn't be chili without the chili powder. Add more or less to taste.
Cayenne - We only add ½ teaspoon but you can add more if you like.
Cream cheese - The cream cheese really pulls everything together and adds flavor, creaminess, and depth to this crack chicken chili recipe.
Cheddar cheese - I love how the cheddar melts into this cream cheese crack chicken chili. You can use other types of cheese to switch it up.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
How to make Crack Chicken Chili
- Add all ingredients, except the cream cheese and cheddar cheese, to a slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Remove cooked chicken to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken.
- Add the chicken, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese to the slow cooker and stir until the cheese is melted and everything is combined.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.
Can I cook crack chicken chili on the stovetop?
Yes, you can make this crockpot cream cheese chicken chili on the stovetop. Increase chicken broth to 2 cups and add all ingredients except the cream cheese and cheddar cheese to a large pot.
Cook over medium heat until crack chicken chili starts to boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 18-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate or cutting board and shred with two forks.
Add the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and chicken to the pot and stir until the cheese and cream cheese melt into the chili and everything is combined.
You can store this crack chicken chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze crack chicken chili?
I don't recommend freezing this slow cooker cream cheese crack chicken chili. The cheese and cream cheese separate during freezing. If you want to freeze it, don't' add in the cream cheese and cheese until you are ready to serve it.
What to serve with crack chicken chili?
We love serving this slow cooker cream cheese crack chicken chili with tortilla chips, olives, fresh salsa, and sliced jalapenos. You can serve this crack chicken chili with your favorite toppings and side.
Looking for more slow cooker recipes? Try my Crockpot BBQ Meatballs. My Crockpot Black Beans are also a reader favorite.
Did you make this Crack Chicken Chili? Please leave me a comment below letting me know what you thought of this crockpot cream cheese chicken chili.
Crack Chicken Chili
A creamy Crack Chicken Chili that's easy to make and uses only a handful of ingredients. You're going to love this cream cheese crack chicken chili.
Ingredients
- 1 and ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 8 oz. (1 cup) chicken broth
- 1 (15.5 oz) can white beans, undrained
- 1 cup corn (frozen or fresh corn kernels work)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles, undrained.
- ½ cup cooked and chopped bacon (you can use store bought if needed)
- 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Add all ingredients, except the cream cheese and cheddar cheese, to a slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Remove cooked chicken to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken.
- Add the chicken, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese to the slow cooker and stir until the cheese is melted and everything is combined.
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- You can use precooked chicken to make this crack chicken chili. Simply add it in at the end with the cream cheese and cheddar cheese.
- Stove top directions for cream cheese crack chicken chili - Increase chicken broth to 2 cups and add all ingredients except the cream cheese and cheddar cheese to a large pot. Cook over medium heat until crack chicken chili starts to boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 18-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken to a bowl and shred with two forks. Add the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and chicken to the pot and stir until the cheese and cream cheese melt into the chili and everything is combined.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
2 cupsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 317Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 954mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 26g
This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.
wendy miller
I just made the garlic dill salad croutons using some bagels and they turned out wonderful! Crispy and flavorful! But my favorite recipe of all, is the easy bread recipe. The thing I have missed the most since I needed to go gluten free was a piece of good bread and this recipe fills the bill. It makes excellent toast, too. Thanks so much for your recipes!!
Michele
How is this keto if one serving has 22g of carbs?? I am confused????
Wendy Stoltz
Hi Michele,
Keto allows for less than 50 grams a day. So, if you like you can have this as part of your daily intake.