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Bacon Cheddar Ranch Chicken, aka Crack Chicken, is one of the easiest and most versatile dinner recipes! Keto and low-carb friendly with only 2 NET CARBS per serving!
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Crack Chicken
This is one of my favorite recipes because it is so versatile. I also like that it is low-carb, which is great for those friends and family members who are eating keto or low-carb.
I typically cook this using my slow cooker because I can pretty much forget about it while it cooks. You can also use your Instant Pot if you would like. I’ve included instructions for that method in case you prefer it.
What is Crack Chicken
“Crack” refers to recipes that use the classic combination of cream cheese, bacon, cheddar, and ranch.
How to serve Crack Chicken
If you are wondering how to serve Crack Chicken, let me tell you some of my favorite ways:
- eat it as it is
- as a sandwich filling on sandwich rolls, hamburger buns, or in a pita
- make it a melt over an English muffin with extra cheese on top
- over rice (or cauliflower rice if eating low-carb)
- try it over pasta
- over mashed potatoes or baked potatoes
- in tortillas for a new taco or burrito flavor
- in lettuce cups
- with tortilla chips as a dip
- use it as part of a casserole
- as a pizza topping
- Get creative – this recipe is so versatile that the possibilities are endless!
Crack Chicken recipe
Ingredients
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- low-sodium chicken broth
- dry Ranch dressing and seasoning mix
- cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- cooked bacon
- chopped green onions, for serving
How to make Crack Chicken
Time needed: 8 hours
How to make Crack Chicken
- Put chicken in slow cooker.
Place the chicken pieces in the bottom of a slow cooker crock.
- Pour Ranch mixture over chicken and top with cream cheese.
In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth and Ranch mix. Pour the mixture evenly over the top of the chicken. Place the cubes of cream cheese evenly over the top.
- Cook chicken.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours (HIGH for 3-4 hours) or until the chicken is no longer pink and shreds easily.
- Shred chicken and mix.
Using two forks, shred the chicken while it is still inside the slow cooker. Stir everything until well combined.
- Stir in Cheddar and bacon.
Add the Cheddar cheese and bacon evenly over the top and stir until well combined.
- Serve.
Serve, garnished with green onions.
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Recipe Notes
- Want to make this in your Instant Pot instead?
- Place the chicken and cream cheese in your Instant Pot. Sprinkle Ranch dressing mix evenly over the top and add the broth. Cook on manual HIGH pressure for 15 minutes. After the time is up, perform a quick release. Shred chicken. Stir in the cheese and bacon. Serve, garnished with green onions.
- This recipe easily doubles and freezes well.
Crack Chicken: FAQs
Yes! This recipe, as written, is keto-friendly. You can also enjoy it over cauliflower rice or in lettuce cups or wraps. If low-carb tortillas fit into your macros for the day, those are a great option, too!
Yes! Allow it to cool before transferring it to airtight freezer containers or a zip-top bag. Be sure to use it within 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat it in the microwave or oven.
Any leftovers are good for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Be sure to store the leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag.
I usually microwave it until heated through. You can also reheat it in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
Yes! Place the chicken and cream cheese in your Instant Pot. Sprinkle Ranch dressing mix evenly over the top and add the broth. Cook on manual HIGH pressure for 15 minutes. After the time is up, perform a quick release. Shred chicken. Stir in the cheese and bacon. Serve, garnished with green onions.
How did you like this recipe
Wasn’t this recipe awesome? My family loves it and the almost endless ways to enjoy it! Let me know in the comments if you made this and how you served it. I look forward to hearing from you.
Other recipes you may enjoy
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Chicken
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 packet dry Ranch dressing and seasoning mix, 1 oz.
- 2 packages cream cheese, cut into cubes, 8 oz. each
- 1 ½ cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- Chopped green onions, for serving
Instructions
- Place the chicken pieces in the bottom of a slow cooker crock.
- In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth and Ranch mix. Pour the mixture evenly over the top of the chicken. Place the cubes of cream cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours (HIGH for 3-4 hours) or until the chicken is no longer pink and shreds easily.
- Using two forks, shred the chicken while it is still inside the slow cooker. Stir everything until well combined.
- Add the Cheddar cheese and bacon evenly over the top and stir until well combined.
- Serve, garnished with green onions.
Notes
Want to make this in your Instant Pot instead?
Place the chicken and cream cheese in your Instant Pot. Sprinkle Ranch dressing mix evenly over the top and add the broth. Cook on manual HIGH pressure for 15 minutes. After the time is up, perform a quick release. Shred chicken. Stir in the cheese and bacon. Serve, garnished with green onions.How to serve Crack Chicken?
- eat it as it is
- as a sandwich filling on sandwich rolls, hamburger buns, or in a pita
- make it a melt over an English muffin with extra cheese on top
- over rice (or cauliflower rice if eating low-carb)
- try it over pasta
- over mashed potatoes or baked potatoes
- in tortillas for a new taco or burrito flavor
- in lettuce cups
- with tortilla chips as a dip
- use it as part of a casserole
- as a pizza topping
- Get creative – this recipe is so versatile that the possibilities are endless!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is one of the best recipes I’ve ever done. Can’t thank you enough for this one.