Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
  • 150g finely diced yellow onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 0.5 lb thick-cut bacon, cooked until shattering and crumbled
  • 15 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 15 oz canned sweet corn, drained
  • 10 oz canned diced tomatoes with green chiles
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 oz dry Ranch dressing mix
  • 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature and cubed
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

Instructions:

  1. Place the 2 lbs of chicken thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. Note: This ensures the meat is in direct contact with the heating element for even cooking.
  2. Add the 150g of diced onion, 3 cloves of garlic, 15 oz black beans, 15 oz corn, 10 oz tomatoes, and 1 cup of chicken broth.
  3. Sprinkle the 1 oz ranch mix, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 2 tsp cumin over the top. Stir gently until the spices are evenly distributed.
  4. Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours. The aroma should be smoky and the chicken should give way when pressed with a spoon.
  5. Transfer the chicken thighs to a plate or stand mixer. Shred into bite size pieces. Note: Don't shred them into dust; you want chunky pieces for texture.
  6. In a separate bowl, take the softened 8 oz of cubed cream cheese and add one ladle of the hot chili liquid. Whisk until it looks like a smooth, pale orange cream.
  7. Pour this tempered mixture back into the pot and stir.
  8. Fold in the shredded chicken, 2 cups of shredded cheddar, and half of the crumbled bacon. Stir until the cheese has completely vanished into the sauce.
  9. Garnish with the remaining 0.25 lb of crispy bacon and serve immediately. > Chef's Tip: If you want an even deeper flavor, sauté the diced onions in a tablespoon of the bacon renderings before putting them in the slow cooker. It creates a caramelized base that raw onions can't match. Crack Chicken Slow-Cooked with Bacon and Cheddar for 8 Servings — Make creamy Crack Chicken in your slow cooker. This recipe features a step-by...Beef Short Ribs Recipe Slow Cooker for 4 Servings — Master this beef short ribs recipe slow cooker guide for tender, rich results...Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Recipe for 5 Servings — Master the slow cooker beef short ribs recipe using bone-in cuts for restaura... $img_2$