Crack Chicken (Crockpot / Instant Pot)

Yes, you heard it right.There is such a thing called crack chicken. In fact, it’s very popular. Why? It is as good as it looks. It’s creamy, cheesy, and deliciously addictive. See, that’s why the name… crack chicken! And it’s super easy to make, which is a huge bonus.

This recipe only requires a handful of ingredients. And if you let that crockpot or even insta pot work for you, life couldn’t be easier. While it’s cooking on its own, you can just relax or do whatever else you want. When it’s ready, open the lid and just pause and drool for a minute! 🙂

Only one hitch… Do NOT count calories for this one… Just enjoy… 🙂

This might be one of the laziest recipes on GypsyPlate. It’s a “throw 5 ingredients in the crockpot” lazy recipe. You might want a couple of garnishings later when you are ready to serve. And boy, when it comes to serving you can serve it in a hundred different ways.

No wonder it quickly gained popularity among moms and bachelors alike. And if you look at the ingredients, you’ll see why it’s beloved by low carbers and keto followers.

Check out our collection of favorite Keto Recipes!

What exactly is Crack Chicken?

Any recipe or food with “crack” at the beginning of the name simply suggests it’s very addictive. Some super cheesy, creamy lusciousness.

For example, crack dip (by the way, crack chicken has its origin in this dip). You must be familiar with it from those potluck parties or get togethers. That dip made from cream cheese, ranch seasoning, bacon bits, cheddar and maybe mayo or sour cream. Something to keep on dipping your crackers in indefinitely.

Well, some genius must have thought to add chicken into the mix. And just like that, crack chicken was born. Easy. No culinary expertise needed here.

Simple, easy ingredients

The first four are key ingredients to any crack chicken. After that you can take it wherever you fancy.

• Cheese – To create that creamy cheesiness, you need two types of cheese, cream cheese and cheddar cheese.
• Ranch seasoning – It gets that popular flavor from this seasoning. No other will do. 🙂
• Bacon – Albeit it goes as a garnishing in the end. But it elevates the flavor in every single bite. You can use store bought bacon bits, but we don’t recommend them. It’s worth every bite to cook that bacon in a pan and crumble for garnishing. This would only take 10 extra minutes.
• Chicken – Of course.

Additional ingredients we are using today:

• Chicken broth – This helps to make your crack chicken creamy rather than pasty.
• Green onion – Thinly sliced, as garnishing.

What type of chicken is commonly used in crack chicken?

Lots of people make their crack chicken with chicken breasts. It’s easy to shred once cooked. Today we used boneless skinless thighs, which are our favorite for their flavor and tenderness. At the end it’s a personal choice, or what’s available in your home.

Whether you prefer white or dark meat, I do suggest boneless skinless cuts.

Check out our collection of favorite Chicken Recipes!

So now to throw everything in the crockpot

Simply add chicken into the crockpot along with chicken broth. Sprinkle ranch seasoning all over the chicken, followed by cream cheese (I cut the cream cheese into small pieces). Cover the lid, and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-7 hours… Yup, easy!!

Some time during the day, cook the bacon and crumble to sprinkle over the finished crack chicken later.

Once chicken is cooked, shred the chicken with 2 forks right in the crock, no need to take it out to a plate to shred. That’s one less dish to wash later. Swirl it around with all the sauce.

Add in shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Cover again with the lid and cook until the cheese melts into cheddary gooyiness. Sprinkle on the green onions and it’s ready to dig in.

Can I make crack chicken in an instant pot ?

Sure you can, it only takes 15 minutes.

Add chopped bacon to the instant pot and set to SAUTE mode. Cook until crisp and brown. Remove bacon and any extra fat.

Add in chicken broth, chicken and ranch seasoning. Secure lid, select MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Open the lid and shred the chicken with 2 forks.

Switch to SAUTE mode again. Stir in cream cheese and mix well till it melts. Add in shredded cheddar cheese, bacon bits and cook till cheddar cheese melts a bit. Garnish with green onions and serve.

Some variations

1. We used sharp cheddar today but you can play with your cheese. Try Monterey Jack or pimento cheese.
2. You can use flavored cream cheese instead of plain. Think jalapeno, garlic or herb cream cheese.
3. Try some more add-ins, like spinach. Or try additional toppings like sautéed mushrooms, French fried onions, sun dried tomatoes or olives.
4. Top the crack chicken with BBQ sauce. Intrigued?? You will be amazed how well the flavors go together.

Now from here you can really get cracking eating it different ways…

1. Serve it as crack chicken dip. It’s a sure shot winner at parties, pot lucks and get together. Dunk in crackers, tortilla chips, pretzels, carrots and celery sticks. Let them come.
2. On hamburger buns, sliders or pitas. Toast the buns or pitas and load them with creamy crack chicken.
3. Grilled crack chicken sandwich. Put some crack chicken between two bread slices. Butter up the sides and grill it as you would a grilled cheese sandwich.
4. Wrapped in a tortilla or taco.
5. It’s a great filling for quesadillas or crunchy wraps.
6. Pasta & noodles. Stir fusilli or bow tie pasta with crack chicken and your wholesome dinner is DONE.
7. Over good old rice or mashed or baked potatoes.
8. Stuff it in bell peppers and bake.
9. Low carb options: Serve it over your favorite salad. Or heap it up over sautéed or steamed broccoli, asparagus or green beans… all yum. Have it over cauliflower fried rice or zoodles. Try it in lettuce wraps… Everything works with this crack chicken!

Leftovers and storage

You can actually double up the recipe and save it for future meal options. It’s a great meal prep contender.

This refrigerates well for 3-4 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze it in freezer bags or containers up to a couple of months. When ready to eat, simply thaw and reheat it in the microwave or oven.

Give this online sensation a try this week. Who doesn’t want an easy and lazy meal that is crackingly addictive? This crack chicken… make it for your family and dig in whichever way you want!

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Crack Chicken, on my Gypsy Plate… enjoy!

These other recipes that go great in your Crock or Insta pot:
Greek Meatballs
Barbacoa Pork
Guinness Beef Stew
Islander Pork
Meaty Cabbage Soup
Loaded Cauliflower Soup
Swedish Meatballs
Dublin Coddle