I avoided “crack chicken” for years because the name felt like a Pinterest gimmick. Then I tested it on a cold night, didn’t use the packet junk, and suddenly had a keto meal my kids asked for again. And again. And again.
This version skips the starches and sneaky carbs hiding in seasoning packets—and actually nails that creamy, cheesy, bacon-loaded vibe without wrecking your blood sugar.
Why This One Works So Well
- No weird thickeners or mystery mixes—just real ranch herbs and fat.
- Cream cheese binds everything without making it soupy.
- The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, so dinner practically makes itself.
- It reheats like a dream—seriously, better the next day.
What Packs Flavor Without the Carbs
- Chicken breasts (2 lb) – High-protein, low-fat base. Thighs also work, just bump the fat macros accordingly.
- Cream cheese (16 oz, full-fat) – Fat, flavor, and the glue that makes this creamy. Don’t use reduced fat—trust me, it won’t melt the same.
- Cheddar cheese (1 cup shredded) – Fat + flavor punch. Shred your own to skip the anti-caking starch.
- Bacon bits (½ cup) – Go real here. Crispy crumbled bacon > store-bought bits in both flavor and carb count.
- Green onions (⅓ cup) – Adds a little zip to balance the fat.
- Dry herbs: parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper – Basically homemade ranch without the packet. No sugar, no starch, no weird maltodextrin.
Keto Swaps That Actually Work
Swap | Works? | Notes |
---|---|---|
Chicken thighs instead of breasts | ✅ | Juicier, just fattier—good for higher-fat days. |
Pepper jack instead of cheddar | ✅ | Adds a nice kick, still low carb. |
Coconut cream instead of cream cheese | ❌ | Changes the flavor a lot—not in a good way. |
Ranch packet | ❌ | Adds preservatives + sugar. Just don’t. |
What Went Sideways (And Why)
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Watery texture | Chicken wasn’t fully shredded or rested | Let it sit 10–15 mins after shredding before adding cheese. |
Bland flavor | Used light cream cheese | Use full-fat only—don’t skimp on the fat. |
Greasy layer on top | Used too much bacon or fatty thigh meat | Stick to the recipe ratios or stir well before serving. |
Step-By-Step: How I Make It
- Lay chicken breasts in a slow cooker (single layer if possible).
- Sprinkle herbs + spices evenly over the top.
- Dot cream cheese across the surface.
- Cook on low for 6–8 hours (or high for 3–4) until the chicken shreds easily.
- Shred the chicken right in the Crock Pot and stir to combine with cream cheese.
- Stir in cheddar, bacon, and green onions.
- Optional: Keep on “Warm,” sprinkle more cheese on top, cover until melted.
I portion this into 10 servings (~5.5 oz each). Makes macro tracking brainless.

Keto Cooking Tricks That Help
- I crumble and store bacon in the freezer in a zip-top bag—easy grab-and-go for recipes like this.
- Shred cheese from a block—less hidden carbs, melts better.
- Letting the cream cheese soften on the counter first = smoother mixing.
Freezing + Reheating Without Ruining It
- Fridge: 3 days max. Store in a glass container with a tight lid.
- Freezer: 2–3 months. Cool fully before freezing to avoid ice crystals.
- Reheat: Microwave in 30-sec bursts or warm gently on the stove. Add a splash of broth or butter if it looks dry.
It thickens up cold—don’t judge the texture until it’s reheated.
What I Googled Before Making This
Can I use frozen chicken in the Crock Pot?
Technically yes, but it messes with the cook time and risks a mushy texture. Thaw it first for best results.
Will this spike blood sugar?
Not for most. Net carbs per serving is just 5g, and it’s mostly from the onion powder + green onion.
Can I make this dairy-free?
This one’s a hard no. The entire dish is the dairy. Try shredded salsa chicken instead.
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: ~5.5 oz (1/10th of the full recipe)
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 346 kcal |
Total Fat | 23g |
– Saturated Fat | 11g |
– Trans Fat | <0.5g (natural from dairy) |
Cholesterol | 107mg |
Sodium | 505mg |
Potassium | ~380mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 6g |
– Fiber | 1g |
– Sugar | 1g |
Net Carbs | 5g |
Protein | 24g |
Calcium | ~15% DV |
Iron | ~6% DV |
Vitamin A | ~18% DV |
Vitamin C | ~2% DV |
⚠️ Notes on the Numbers:
- Net carbs come in at 5g per serving—mostly from the onion powder and green onion. No filler carbs here.
- Fat and protein are nicely balanced for a keto main—makes this easy to pair with a lower-fat or veggie-heavy side if you’re dialing your macros.
- Sodium isn’t extreme, but if you’re salt-sensitive, watch the bacon and cheddar choices—some brands pack more than others.
📌 If you’re tracking strictly (especially for keto medical protocols), plug your exact ingredient brands into something like Cronometer or Carb Manager for the most accurate numbers.
Check out More Recipes:
- Grilled Chicken Salad – Keto, Low Carb
- Low Carb Keto Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Low Carb Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Low Carb Keto Chicken Caprese Salad

Low Carb Keto Crack Chicken
Description
Creamy, cheesy slow-cooked chicken with bacon and ranch flavor—keto comfort food that’s low-carb, high-fat, and dangerously addicting. Just 5 minutes of prep!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place chicken in a Crock Pot. Sprinkle herbs and spices on top.
- Add cream cheese cubes evenly over the chicken.
- Cook 3–4 hours on high (or 6–8 on low).
- Shred chicken, mix into the cream cheese.
- Stir in cheddar, bacon, and green onions.
- Optional: Top with extra cheese and warm until melted.
Notes
- I crumble and store bacon in the freezer in a zip-top bag—easy grab-and-go for recipes like this.
- Shred cheese from a block—less hidden carbs, melts better.
- Letting the cream cheese soften on the counter first = smoother mixing.