This recipe for Crack Chicken is super easy and gives instructions for the Instant Pot, slow cooker or stove top. Instead of that infamous ranch seasoning packet, I use a homemade blend of flavorful herbs and spices.
Crack Chicken Recipe
What could be better than a creamy dish with shredded chicken mixed with cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, cheddar cheese, and bacon? This crack chicken recipe really is a winning combination that the whole family will love. I love that it fits perfectly in a keto diet and can also be used for a dip!
This tender chicken recipe will be a regular keto-friendly addition to your weekly dinner menu. It is the perfect combination of creamy cheeses that the entire family will love. Eat it as is or with pasta, white rice, potatoes, or on slider buns as a sandwich. For a keto friendly and lighter serving suggestion, use lettuce wraps!
Below I will give instructions for 3 different ways to make this comfort food recipe. My favorite way is in the Instant pot, but I also give crock pot, and stove top instructions. I do the same in my recipe for Keto Beef Stroganoff.
Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for this crack chicken recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For a printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
So for this crack chicken recipe I used simple ingredients, including flavorful spices and herbs to bring that ranch flavor we have come to know and love without a ranch seasoning mix packet! We also use a brick of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon to make a crazy delicious combination of chicken!
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts - You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs but I think this recipe is already so rich, chicken thighs might be a little much.
Chicken Broth - I like to use a chicken broth concentrate for ease, but you could use bone broth or stock as well.
Homemade ranch mix: This seasoning mix is one of the key ingredients for this delicious chicken recipe. You can use a ranch packet if you want, but I prefer to make my own dry ranch seasoning. We use dried parsley, dried dill, dried chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. I use the same mix in my recipe for Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole.
Cream Cheese, cut into smaller chunks - you can use light or full-fat cream cheese.
Shredded cheddar cheese - I like to use sharp cheddar cheese but another great option is shredded pepper jack cheese.
Cooked and crumbled bacon - you could also use real bacon bits if you're wanting to save time.
How to make keto crack chicken - Stove top
The stove top version of this ranch chicken is great for those of us who do not have an Instant pot, but want to make this on busy weeknights.
For the stove top version of this easy recipe, we first need to cook the chicken breast. Add the chicken, broth and spices to a large sauce pan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Let simmer for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165F using a probe thermometer.
I also like to cook the bacon while the chicken cooks.
Remove the chicken from the liquid and shred with 2 forks. Then mix in the block of cream cheese, shredded cheese and the crumbled bacon. Add in ½ cup (100ml) of cooking liquid to loosen up the mixture.
Crock Pot crack chicken recipe
To make this scrumptious crockpot crack chicken recipe in the slow cooker or crockpot, you would add the chicken, half a cup of chicken broth, and all of the spices to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 hours, or low for 6 hours. When the chicken is finished, shred with 2 forks. If there is too much liquid, you will want to drain all but about ½ cup (100ml). Then mix in the block of cream cheese, shredded cheese and the crumbled bacon.
Instant Pot crack chicken
This is my favorite Instant pot recipe because it is so hands off, just like most instant pot recipes. To make this simply delicious crack chicken recipe in the Instant Pot, add half a cup of chicken broth, the chicken breast, and the spices to the instant pot.
Set the pot to 8 minutes high pressure, followed by a 10 minute natural pressure release. Remove the chicken from the pot and all but ½ cup (100ml) of the liquid. Return the chicken to the pot and shred with 2 forks. Stir in the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and the bacon.
Crack chicken dip
To keep this low carb and keto, you can just eat the crack dip with a spoon, on top of a salad, or you can eat it as a dip! I love it with veggie sticks like bell pepper, cucumber and carrots.
I love to eat this on a slice of 90 second bread, or on top of a bed of arugula. You could serve it as a dip with chips or with cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
Serving and storage
Serving: Most people serve this easy crack chicken recipe on hamburger buns. I have heard it is amazing on Hawaiian rolls! I personally just like to eat it on it's own with a simple side of green beans.
Top the creamy crack chicken with hot sauce or green onions to really add an additional burst of flavor.
Storage: This will require your typical storage. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Freezing isn't really recommend for this recipe because of the cream cheese. Freezing can cause the cream cheese to separate and not be very appealing.
Another option is to cook the chicken in the spices and then freeze in freezer bags with a ½ cup (100ml) of the liquid. Then when you are ready to serve you can thaw the chicken and mix with the cream cheese mixture. This would also cut down on cooking time on the day you serve it.
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Crack Chicken Recipe - Crock Pot, Instant Pot, or Stove Top
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Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
- ½ Cup Chicken Broth
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Dried Dill
- 1 teaspoon Dried Chives
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 8 ounce package Cream Cheese, cut into smaller chunks
- 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 8 Slices Bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- sliced green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
- Add the chicken, broth, and spices to the crock pot. Set on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the pot to a large bowl and shred with 2 forks. Combine the cheeses with the chicken and use a ladle to add some broth to the chicken and cheese mixture to loosen it a bit. Finally, stir in the bacon.
Instant Pot Crack Chicken
- Add the chicken, broth, and spices to the Instant pot. Close the lid, set to sealing, and set the timer to 8 minutes high pressure, followed by a 10 minute natural pressure release. Release the rest of the pressure and remove the lid.
- Remove the chicken from the pot to a large bowl and shred with 2 forks. Combine the cheeses with the chicken and use a ladle to add some broth to the chicken and cheese mixture to loosen it a bit. Finally, stir in the bacon.
Stove Top Crack Chicken
- Add the chicken, broth and spices to a large sauce pan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Let simmer for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165F using a probe thermometer.
- Remove the chicken from the pot to a large bowl and shred with 2 forks. Combine the cheeses with the chicken and use a ladle to add some broth to the chicken and cheese mixture to loosen it a bit. Finally, stir in the bacon.
Notes
- Recipe yields 5 cups of crack chicken or 2 pounds 6 ounces. One serving would be approximately ⅔rds of a cup. For the most accurate measure, measure out your yield and divide by 8.
Nutrition per serving
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only. Please re-calculate on your own with the ingredients and amounts you used for the most accurate data.
Karen says
I did the slow cooker version, and it came out great!! Hubby said, “This chicken is delicious!” I saw a similar recipe that didn’t have the chicken broth, but it was essential. Thank you, Jennifer—you are a food genius! So happy to find an easy and foolproof recipe for crack chicken. 😋
Michele says
My husband and I enjoyed this dish. What a treat that you gave direction for each mode of cooking. I enjoy mixing up my meals😀
Rose says
What is your favorite way to make crack chicken? Instant pot, stove top or slow cooker? If it is the slow cooker, on high or low? Thank you in advance and your opinion is greatly appreciated.
jenniferbanz says
Instant pot!
KristaM says
I am never going back to ranch dressing packets!
❤️
The flavor of just the spices are so much better; clean and fresh... AND none of the nasty stuff in packaged spices like non caking agents and too much salt.
YAY!
Laura says
I love love love it with the spices you add yourself. I substitute the chicken broth for olive oil and apple cider vinegar whisked with a little water all the herbs (plus cayenne pepper) to make the 1/2ish cup.
Claudia says
WOW!! Family loved it! I only used 1 lb chicken (thighs), 1 cup cheddar, bacon, and 4oz cream cheese (1\2 of an 8oz pack). Out of this world and one of my favorite recipes👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you for another DELICIOUS recipe!
❤️
Kelsie M says
Has anyone ever used frozen chicken for this? I am a terrible planner and tend to just decide to cook things last minute and frozen chicken is something we always have on hand!
Laura says
I always use frozen chicken when making it in the insta-pot.
Jenny S Graves says
Love this idea, that's a genius chicken recipe! We try to eat low carb and this makes it easier and very yummy. Thank you!
Veena Azmanov says
I love such Instant Pot recipes. Delicious , Creamy and easy to make too. This is surely mouth melting.
Lorie Freeman says
This is a keto staple for me...I add broccoli and have used store bought roasted chicken and it's amazing!
Ester Hunter says
I also used rotisserie chicken that I used. I had broccoli and will use it next time. This was great and I served it on a low carb spinach tortilla. Delish!!
Sam W says
This is sitting in my crockpot now, waiting for dinner time. Of course I had to sample it. It’s amazing. What a great dish to make and I love not using the ranch packets! Thanks for sharing!
Paulette B says
Jennifer , I made your cracked chicken. It is one of my many favorites . Also the Cauliflower soup my family loves it too. I live in Florida, so we turn the air conditioning way down and eat your delicious soup.
Lance says
Your macros or number of servings has to be off, 4oz of chicken breast alone has 35g of protein, you have 5 breasts that are at least 4oz (175g total). At 6 servings that is a minimum of 29g of protein, that doesn't take into consideration the other ingredients. Just at a glance, it looks like this is closer to 10 servings. Regardless, this is an awesome recipe. . Thank you.
Elise J says
OMG how have I gone my whole life without this dish!?! This is my second day on a keto diet and lady you just made it super easy to love this new lifestyle. TY, TY, TY! Btw served it over cauliflower rice. *bliss*
Lisa says
Hi, how much is in one serving?
Morgan Allen says
Cannot wait to try, just found your page and im obsessed! Def subscribed
Instant pot question. I noticed you didnt ppace chicken on the trivet? No BURN notice? Im new to instant pot and thought you had to use trivet every time? Thanks
Alison says
The whole family liked it! That is no small feat. Thanks.
Amy Grabowski says
This is sitting in my crockpot now, waiting for dinner time. Of course I had to sample it. It's amazing. What a great dish to make and I love not using the ranch packets! Thanks for sharing!
Marsha says
This looks and sounds absolutely amazing! Gotta try this soon!
Ashley F says
This is SO crazy delicious -- the whole family loves it!