Crock Pot Mississippi Crack Chicken Sandwiches are a creamy twist on the classic Mississippi Roast that couldn't be simpler to prepare.
I love this hot sticky weather we are having. A simple walk to the mailbox leaves me drenched in sweat and thinking since I'm this gross and sweaty, that must count as an aerobic workout. I then saunter inside and plop on the couch, turning the fan on low to continue my aerobic burn. Richard Simmons would be so proud. Before long I've earned myself a Mississippi Crack Chicken Sandwich! That's how it works, right?
Often people think of crock pots as winter appliances, mainly used to simmer hearty soups. I use mine just as much in the summertime because it can cook all day without heating up the house. I was able to toss all of the ingredients for these Mississippi Crack Chicken Sandwiches in the slow cooker around lunch time and it was ready to eat by supper!
My inspiration for this recipe was my Mississippi Roast Sandwiches. It is probably my all time favorite meal to make in the crock pot. However, the other day I was craving some chicken in the crock pot and decided to amp up the creaminess of the Mississippi Roast recipe by adding some cream cheese, similar to the popular "Crack Chicken" sandwiches on Pinterest.
It is downright luxurious!
I didn't add any cheese to these sandwiches, however, cheddar would be a great addition if you are inclined to do so. I also used chicken breast, but any type of chicken meat will work great.
TIP: Chicken meat can dry out when overcooked in the crock pot. I recommend keeping an eye on it when it is starting to get tender to ensure it doesn't overcook excessively. However, if it does overcook, it will still taste great. The cream cheese and butter provides plenty of backup moisture.
Needless to say you need a slow cooker for this recipe. I like 6 quart slow cookers that have a high, low, and keep warm setting, as well as a way to secure the lid for transport.
The above link is an affiliate link. Any Amazon purchases made through this link helps support FoxValleyFoodie.com at no additional cost to you.
Crock Pot Mississippi Crack Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken breast (can substitute other chicken meat)
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ stick unsalted butter
- 1 oz ranch seasoning packet
- 1 ¼ oz au jus dry mix packet
- ⅓ cup sliced pepperoncinis (plus more for serving)
For Serving
- 12 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Place chicken into the slow cooker and top with cream cheese, butter, ranch and au jus seasoning and pepperoncinis.
- Cook on high for 4 hours, or until chicken is tender and easily shredded. (Alternatively, cook on low 6-8 hours)
- Shred chicken and fully incorporate with other ingredients.
- Serve on hamburger buns with additional pepperoncinis.
Notes
Nutritional Information
If you enjoyed reading my Crock Pot Mississippi Crack Chicken Sandwiches recipe then you should probably like me on Facebook and follow me on Pinterest too. That’s what I would do at least, because if you don’t get to know me but you still use my recipe it is kind of like taking candy from a stranger, and your mom taught you not to do that. Don’t disobey your mom, subscribe to Fox Valley Foodie today.
Kristen
Do you add the water called for on the au jus packet or just add the dry seasoning?
BB
Have you ever tried on a different type of bread?? Like a crossaint or some other type??
Krissi
If I want to double this reciepe for a birthday party, how does this affect the time?
Eli
Absolutely delicious! Only did 2 packet of ranch and it turned out perfectly
Sandra
What would you serve on the side besides chips or raw veggies?
Fox Valley Foodie
Macaroni salad would taste great with this!
Rebekkah Stewart
Question about the au jus packet?! Is it 1, 1/4 oz packet as in, a packet that contains 1/4 oz OR is it 1 1/4 oz of seasoning, as in I will need 1-1 oz packet PLUS 1/4 of another packet?! The au jus seasonings are 1 oz packets?! Maybe this is why some are experiencing the meal being “too salty”???
Fox Valley Foodie
1 1/4 oz was the size of the packet purchased at my local store. Looking online it appears many of the packets are 1 oz in size. You can just use a single one ounce packet if you wish, however it won't hurt to add the additional 1/4 ounce, the flavor difference won't be that dramatic.
Alissa
Loved the recipe! Made it tonight and it was a hit! Instead of putting peppercinis on my sandwhich, I put deldixi hamburger sliced pickles. Have you froze yours for a later day? I’d hate for most of it to go to waste since it’s just me and my husband.
Fox Valley Foodie
Yes, this recipe will freeze well. I am glad you enjoyed it!
John
Love this recipe. Is there any way around using cream cheese? Could I sub with water if I don't want to use it, or would this recipe just not work without it?
Fox Valley Foodie
I am glad you love the recipe, unfortunately, water would make it very runny and flavorless.
Kathy
I make it without cream cheese and it’s delicious!
Jennifer
I’m only cooking for 3 maybe 4 people is there a way to not make so much as far as Ingredients
KIM
I ALWAYS USE FRENCH ONION SOUP PACKET INSTEAD OF AU JUS. TURNS OUT PERFECT.
Erin
I made this today and it ended up brown in color and very very salty. I’m not sure what I did wrong. I wonder if it’s the brand of seasoning I used? Any suggestions?
Jules
Same here -- very brown and way too salty
Fox Valley Foodie
If it is turning brown, it is overcooking. Likely your slow cooker is cooking faster than mine. I suspect that is causing it to evaporate too much liquid as well and concentrating the salt. I have decided to modify the recipe to only call for 1 packet of ranch seasoning in order to give people a little more wiggle room with the salt.
Maria A Cattle
Can you make this ahead of time and freeze? I have a big party coming up and was trying to fix thing ahead of time?
Fox Valley Foodie
I don't see any reason why that shouldn't work. They can even be made ahead and kept in the fridge. If you reheat them and they thickened up, just add a little bit of water (like a tablespoon or so) to it to make it creamier.
Di
DELICIOUS!!!!! I have made this numerous times (for co-workers & Family) and it is so good !!!!!
Susan Davis
What size crock pot is needed?
Teresa Smith
Whenever I've tried this it is so runny. Other than that is delish. Do you ever have any trouble with the cream cheese separating?
JessieK
I hope this isn't a dumb question... but what would you do if you only had (frozen) bone-in chicken? By the end of the (cooking) day, is it near impossible to get out all the bones amongst the ingredients? By the way, love your site and your humor!
Fox Valley Foodie
I would fish out as many as I could and then warn my guests some sandwiches may contain a special surprise! Each person who finds a lucky bone can trade it in for a free beer.
JessieK
Haha! Oh boy, ok... well, I definitely would owe them one then! Do you think perhaps I could slow cook the chicken by itself, de-bone, then add in the yummies for the last hour-ish? Doing the single mama of 4 thang and desperate for dinners that at least most of them will eat (eh, one or so starving ain't so bad..;>), and that ummm... well, the bone-in chicken pieces are more budget-friendly these days... ;)...though I could always go with - a bone for you, a beer for me, a bone for... !
Fox Valley Foodie
Haha! Yes actually, cooking the chicken separately and then adding the ingredients at the end would work fantastic. You could literally mix everything together in the final few minutes of cooking if desired. Though, I do still recommend the beer drinking. Alternatively, you could debone the chicken prior to cooking too.
JessieK
Yay, awesome! Teehee... sounds like a plan to me! Bedtime would go sooo much smoother... 😉
Thank you, thank you!
Rhianna
Would it be possible to use frozen chicken or is that a no no.
Rhianna
I see the answer to my question. Sorry
Fox Valley Foodie
Not a problem. You should have no problem with the frozen chicken as long as it is cooked long enough!
Kathy
I always use frozen chicken! Never have a problem.
Tiffany Crawford
Thoughts on boiling the chicken and combining the other ingredients and then adding to the chicken after it’s shredded? Didn’t have time to throw it all in the crock pot this morning but want to make for dinner tonight.
Fox Valley Foodie
Do it!
Mel
Do you use frozen or thawed chicken breasts?
Fox Valley Foodie
I use thawed, however frozen will work too.
Shelly
I couldn't find anything at the store as far as the au jus seasoning. Any ideas on how to replicate that or what goes into it at home?
Fox Valley Foodie
Unfortunately it isn't easily replicated at home, however, it should be a pretty common product to find at any grocery store. Make sure you are looking by the other soup/gravy mix packets, not by the jarred seasonings. If you are unable to locate it here is an affiliate link to purchase: McCormick Au Jus Natural Style Gravy Mix, 1 oz
Laura
Concentrated beef bone broth works.
Larissa knotts
Made this for dinner & loved it!
Erin
Made this tonight and enjoyed it very much! Very flavorful and the easiest thing to throw together. I think it would also taste delish over a pile of mashed potatoes too! One question, it was a tad salty and I wonder if using 1 packet of ranch would make it less salty? Anyway, thank you for a recipe so great I actually was compelled to comment on it!
Fox Valley Foodie
If you want it to be less salty I would make sure you use unsalted butter. If you are sensitive to salt you can use one ranch packet instead of two, but it will take away some flavor as well. I'm glad you liked the recipe!
Tarah
I'm confused as I only see one packet of ranch called for in the recipe. Should I use 2? Thanks! I'm excited to try.
Fox Valley Foodie
One is correct, since originally publishing the recipe I changed it to one packet to make it less salty.
Emily H
Oh my goodness YES!!!