Name: Crack Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 800g of chicken breast, sliced into tenders; 200g of low fat cream cheese; 8 slices of lean back bacon, chopped; 1 cup (240ml) of chicken stock (hot); 3 cloves of garlic, crushed; 2 small shallots, finely diced; 1/2 tsp of dried dill; 1 tsp of dried parsley; 1/2 tsp of garlic powder; 1/2 tsp of dried chives; 1 tsp of onion powder; salt and black pepper; fresh chopped parsley

Crack Chicken – This irresistible dish combines tender chicken, creamy ranch seasoning, crispy bacon, and melty cheese, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a potluck favorite, or a meal-prep-friendly recipe.

What Is Crack Chicken?

Crack Chicken is a rich and creamy chicken dish that gets its name from its “addictive” flavor profile. Made with simple ingredients like shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cheddar cheese, and bacon, this dish is versatile, easy to prepare, and universally loved. It’s often served over rice, pasta, or in sandwiches, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Crack Chicken

Use a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot: Crack Chicken shines when cooked in a slow cooker or pressure cooker. The low-and-slow cooking method ensures tender, juicy chicken while allowing the flavors to meld together perfectly.
Don’t Skimp on the Bacon: Use high-quality, thick-cut bacon for the best flavor and texture. Fry it until crispy for maximum crunch.
Add the Cheese at the End: For a gooey, cheesy topping, stir in the shredded cheddar right before serving or let it melt on top while the chicken is still hot.
Opt for Fresh Ranch Seasoning: If possible, make your ranch seasoning blend at home using fresh herbs like dill, parsley, and chives for a fresher taste.
Shred the Chicken Easily: Use two forks or a hand mixer to shred the chicken quickly and evenly.

Variations to Try

The beauty of Crack Chicken lies in its versatility. Here are some creative variations:

Buffalo Crack Chicken: Add 1/4 cup of hot sauce or buffalo sauce for a spicy twist.
Keto-Friendly Crack Chicken: Serve it over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to keep it low-carb.
Mexican-Style: Stir in a can of diced green chilies and top with pepper jack cheese for a Tex-Mex vibe.
Vegetarian Crack Chicken: Substitute the chicken with jackfruit or tofu, and use vegetarian bacon for a meatless version.
Pasta Bake: Mix the Crack Chicken with cooked pasta, top with more cheese, and bake until bubbly.

How to Make Keto Crack Chicken?

Just to let you know that this recipe is already keto friendly with all that cream cheese provides plenty of fat. Yes, you heard it right, each serving has only 3-4 grams of net carbs. Keto recipe version is given below.

How to Make Instant Pot Crack Chicken?

2 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
1 Cup Cheddar Cheese
1 (8 ounces) package Cream Cheese, cut into smaller chunks
8 Slices Bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley
1 teaspoon Dried Chives
1 teaspoon Dried Dill
1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Add the chicken breasts, broth, and other spices to your Instant pot.
Close the lid, set to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes followed by a 10 minute natural pressure release (NPS).
Remove the chicken from the pot along with the liquid leaving at least 1/2 cup of liquid.
Again put the chicken back to the pot and shred with 2 forks.
Mix in the cream cheese, crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese
Serve

How to Serve Crack Chicken

Crack Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with various sides. Here are some serving suggestions:

Over Rice or Pasta: Spoon the creamy mixture over white rice, brown rice, or your favorite pasta for a hearty meal.
In Sandwiches: Serve it on toasted buns or inside wraps for a delicious sandwich or slider.
As a Dip: Use it as a dip with tortilla chips, crackers, or veggie sticks at your next party.
With Vegetables: Pair it with steamed broccoli, green beans, or roasted asparagus for a balanced plate.
Taco Night: Use it as a filling for tacos or quesadillas, topped with fresh cilantro and avocado.

How to Store and Reheat Crack Chicken

Refrigeration: Store leftover Crack Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Warm it up in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if it’s too thick.

Yield: 6

Crack Chicken

Crack Chicken - This irresistible dish combines tender chicken, creamy ranch seasoning, crispy bacon, and melty cheese, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a potluck favorite, or a meal-prep-friendly recipe.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

800g of chicken breast, sliced into tenders
200g of low fat cream cheese
8 slices of lean back bacon, chopped
1 cup (240ml) of chicken stock (hot)
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 small shallots, finely diced
1/2 tsp of dried dill
1 tsp of dried parsley
1/2 tsp of garlic powder
1/2 tsp of dried chives
1 tsp of onion powder
salt and black pepper
fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

Spray with cooking oil onto the inner pot of your slow cooker.
Add the garlic and shallots, fry for 1-2 minutes to infuse the garlic.
Now add stock, cream cheese, dill, chives, dried parsley, garlic powder and onion powder, whisk until well combined and no lumps of cream cheese.
Place in the chicken breasts, cook on low for 5 hours.
In the last hour you can ajar the lid to thicken the sauce.
In the meantime, heat up your frying pan over medium hight heat and spray with cooking oil, add the chopped bacon and fry until golden.
Once the chicken is finished cooking, roughly shred the chicken with 2 forks into the sauce and stir in the bacon.
Season with salt and black pepper as needed and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

6
Amount Per Serving Calories 348Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 138mgSodium 475mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 1gSugar 4gProtein 48g

dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Still Hungry Try These Delicious Chicken Recipes:

Crack Chicken is more than just a recipe; it’s a culinary lifesaver. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just looking to indulge in something delicious, this dish will have you coming back for seconds—and thirds! With its customizable variations and endless serving possibilities, Crack Chicken truly deserves a spot in your meal rotation.