An Instant Pot Version
Instant Pot Crack Chicken is the recipe everyone is talking about! It is ridiculously simple to make and the taste is incredible. How can you go wrong with shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cheese and bacon? Let me answer that for you – you can’t! Just a small handful of ingredients and dinner is ready!
Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta chicken pasta loaded with cheddar, bacon and ranch! Seriously delicious! 4 minutes of cook time. We ate this two days in a row. Chicken, ranch dressing mix, bacon, chicken broth, water, cream cheese, penne pasta and cheddar cheese. Everyone cleaned their plate! Even our picky eaters!!
Remember this recipe.
How many of you LOVE the Instant Pot?!?! Ive owned one for over a year, but I just started using it. In case you arent familiar with the Instant Pot, it is an electric pressure cooker. You can cook just about anything in the Instant Pot. You can cook it fast or use it as a slow cooker.
Today I am sharing one of our favorite pasta dishes Crack Chicken Pasta. Chicken and pasta loaded with cheddar, bacon and ranch. This is seriously DELICIOUS! The best part is that it takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish. Everything cooks in the Instant Pot even the pasta! Woot Woot!
We made this Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta for lunch two days in a row. It was that GOOD!! I loved that I could cook everything in the Instant Pot. Only one pot to clean! I sautéed the chicken and then dumped everything else in and closed the lid. It takes the Instant Pot a few minutes to come to full steam, but once it is locked the pasta is ready in about 4 minutes. LOVE that!! Cant wait to experiment more with the Instant Pot!
Making It In A Slow Cooker
Its really simple to convert this recipe so you can make it in a crockpot. This is a great option if you have errands to run or things to do around the house.
Youll need to cook the bacon separately, but that can be done a day or two beforehand if you want to.
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Using Frozen Chicken Breasts
Can I use frozen chicken or should it be thawed?
- Pour 1 cup water into your pressure cooking pot and place a trivet in the bottom.
- Balance the frozen chicken breasts on the trivet, stacking crosswise if necessary.
- Lock the lid in place.
- Select High Pressure and 1 minute cook time.
- Quick-release when done. Use chicken in the desired recipe as normal.
If you like pressure cooker recipes, try these favorite Instant Pot recipes next. For more ranch inspired recipes like this one, try these Crack Brussels Sprouts next.
Why Do They Call It Crack Chicken
Some people dont appreciate the name, so you can call it whatever you want. It came about because of how addicting it is. When tried people just cant get enough of it. You can make it with pasta like this or smooth like chicken crack soup instead.
What types of casseroles are there?
Our favorite are Instant Pot casseroles. Theyre made in no time at all using beef, chicken or pork. Incorporating noodles and vegetables makes it a one pot meal. Using the oven is another alternative.
What are the best casserole dishes?
The best quick and easy casseroles are ones that need the least amount of prep. To help you can use leftover chicken and skip the browning step, or rotisserie is great.
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How Do You Shred Chicken For Instant Pot Crack Chicken Recipe
I use a hand mixer to shred the chicken faster. It is so easy and one of my best time saving kitchen tips!
Plus, I love the texture of the chicken when you use the hand mixer. I normally put about ½ cup on the buns.
If you prefer though, you can shred with a fork. Just do what works the best for you when shredding the chicken!
Tips And Tricks For Instant Pot Crack Chicken
Pressure Cooker Spicy Crack Chicken
Crispy Bacon makes a great topping. Chop it up and mix it through too!
Instant Pot Spicy Crack Chicken tastes even better the next day!
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Healthy Crack Chicken Recipe
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I created this healthy Crack Chicken for those of us trying to stick to a healthier lifestyle but dont want to give up this favorite recipe.
We swapped the bacon, ranch dressing, and cream cheese for turkey bacon, ranch seasonings, and Greek yogurt. Added in cottage cheese to make it extra creamy, and the flavors are better than the original, I think!
What Do You Eat Crack Chicken With
Crack chicken is basically a chicken filling meant to be used in sandwiches, but we can always go a step further and add crack chicken to:
- Salads
- Low Carb Flour Tortillas
- You can also serve it as a dip for veggies.
Obviously, Instant Pot Crack Chicken is an easy dinner recipe, the kind of dish that requires very minimal work on your part. All you have to do is get out your Instant Pot, toss in the ingredients, and turn up the heat. Then, EAT!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Its easy! It only takes 6 simple ingredients, and you essentially just throw them in the Instant Pot and let it do its thing!
Its versatile! Crack chicken is great served on a hamburger bun as a sandwich or used as a dipwith chips for an appetizer!
Its low carb! With only 3g net carbs, its the perfect guilty pleasure dish for a low carb or keto lifestyle!
Crack Chicken Noodle Soup
If you wanted to make this more as a soup I would increase the liquid by another cup. Use broth for more flavor. Or cook as is and thin it out at the end so you can taste both versions and see which you like better. Total time is about 20 minutes to prep and cook it all until done to perfection.
Time needed: 10 minutes.
Iron12%
I have not made this meal in the crock pot yet but I am sure you could precook the chicken or use a rotisserie. If youre shredding the chicken off an already cooked bird then you could skip the initial cooking step of that.
If you make it Id love to hear at what temp. you turn the pot to, and how long you cooked it for.
- The noodles wouldnt take long and would need to be added at the very end submerged in liquid. I would think 30 minutes would soften them well.
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Instant Pot Crack Chicken Recipe
January 26, 2018 By Aileen This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Instant pot crack chicken got its name because it is so good, you cannot just eat one serving! Come and see why this instant pot crack chicken recipe is our most popular Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Recipe.
Instant Pot Crack Chicken is a tasty and versatile instant pot chicken breast recipe made with frozen chicken breast, bacon, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, green onions, and sharp cheddar.
New to the instant pot? Check out our instant pot guide here.
Instant Pot Crack Chicken Casserole
This Instant Pot crack chicken casserole is one of the most amazing pressure cooker cream cheese chicken andpasta recipe I have made thus far! Get ready for creamy cream cheese chicken with pasta.
I made an easy Instant Pot crack chicken casserole that took a total of 20 minutes from start to finish and it was amazing!! On top of the list of favorite Instant Pot recipes amongst the 5 of us.
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What To Eat Along With Crack Chicken:
Crack chicken is best when used along with sandwiches. I mostly eat crack chicken with sandwiches but you can always try it mixing in the lettuce wraps, with the salad or low carb flour tortillas. You can also use it as a dip for veggies.
This is one of the easy dinner recipes and requires minimum effort on your part to make it. All you have to do is heat the pot, throw some ingredients, and cook. Thats it.
Crack Chicken Tips & Questions
Do I add the cream cheese to the instant pot before or after cooking? Before. Cut it into 1-inch cubes and place the cheese on top of the chicken.
It came out soupy, how can I thicken it? Simply stir in more cream cheese or cheddar cheese or sprinkle it with a little cornstarch.
My cream cheese clumped when I whisked it? What went wrong? Just keep stirring. Once the cheddar cheese is stirred in, it will all blend together. NOTE: Using a low fat or fat free cream cheese may alter the results.
What is the best way to reheat it? On the stovetop in a pan.
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How To Make Crack Chicken On The Stove
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 . 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. Thats 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 its ready to dig in.
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Is Crack Chicken Keto Or Low Carb
Yes, this crack chicken recipe is low carb and keto friendly! The cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and bacon provide plenty of fat, and each serving has only 4 grams of carbs.
If you are following a low carb or the Keto diet, you can serve it on lettuce wraps or over zucchini noodles. Crack chicken is low carb and Keto friendly, but it is not low in calories.
How To Make Instant Pot Spicy Crack Chicken
Onions or scallions are diced and chicken is cut into chunks.
Rather than using a packet of ranch seasonings, individual spices are used for a more flavorful dish. However, feel free to use the packet and just leave out the individual seasonings. Directions are found below on the recipe card.
Most of the ingredients are added to the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker.
Add Seasonings and Liquids to Cooking Pot
Sliced carrots add more great flavor. If you use them, you might want to hand shred the chicken, rather than using an electric mixer.
Cheese will melt quickly in the hot liquid.
The sauce thickens up as it cools.
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Ways To Serve Crack Chicken
The best thing about crack chicken is there are so many different ways to serve it. You could make it every week and serve it a new way.
- Make a sandwich on hamburger buns or gluten free sandwich bread.
- Make crack chicken pasta with regular noodles, egg noodles or even zucchini noodles .
- Stuff baked potatoes with it for a flavorful meal.
- Wrap it up in homemade blue corn tortillas.
- Serve over rice for a simple one bowl meal.
- Make lettuce wraps for another low carb option.
- Use it as an appetizer dip with tortilla chips or crackers.
What Is Crack Chicken Pasta
You may remember my Crack Chicken recipe from last year. I took the basics of that recipe, added more cheese, and pasta for a complete meal!
In the Midwest, youll be hard pressed to find any potluck or meal train without at least one chicken pasta dish. Whether its Baked Ziti or Chicken Tetrazzini, casseroles with chicken and pasta are always a hit.
Everyone has their own spin on crack chicken, but it always involves lots of cream, lots of cheese and lots of bacon. Its a simple concept that turns into a dish that no one can turn down.
Ranch dressing mix adds instant zesty flavor and few handfuls of fresh baby spinach brings the touch of green freshness to balance the heaviness of the cream cheese.
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Pressure Cooker Crack Chicken
This one-pot masterpiece is what weeknights were made for. A rich and creamy and ridiculously easy recipe made possible by Hidden Valley® Ranch. Its a quick HVR fix in your pressure cooker for a low carb, keto go-to that keeps calling you back for more.
- Keto-Friendly
- boneless chicken breasts2pounds
- cream cheese, cut into cubes8ounces
- shredded cheddar cheese1cup
- bacon, cooked and crumbled6slices
- scallion, sliced, for garnish 1
From Family Dinner To Parties This Recipe Is The Best
This recipe is amazing and always a hit. We have served this for a quick weeknight dinner as well as for parties and gatherings.
Sliders are perfect if you are making this for a party. We also use sliders for the kids sometimes.
It is the perfect size for little hands to pick up. Plus, it is just fun to eat sliders!
You can quickly and easily serve these on platters for parties and gatherings for the perfect meal without much work. Everyone will enjoy it.
If you want something different for birthday parties, try making Crack Chicken. The delicious chicken mixture is perfect to feed a crowd.
Everyone will definitely love this and it is sure to be a hit!
It is so easy to make pressure cooker crack chicken recipe!
Keep reading for the full recipe. Try using cooked bacon to save even more time.
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What Is Crack Chicken
My Crack Chicken recipe is delicious and its named such because ranch seasoning, bacon, and cheddar are a winning combination that so many people love together. Ive come to learn that you either love or hate this cream cheese ranch chicken recipe. For every 10 people that love it, there is one that doesnt and thats okay. If youre suspect to the ingredients, try adding only 4 oz. cream cheese and reducing the ranch seasoning. Then, if youd like, add more cream cheese to the mixture once everything is tossed together. I like to add some hot sauce into the mix because it adds additional flavor without the distinct hot sauce taste.
My favorite way to serve up this cheesy shredded chicken is on a toasted bun or wrapped in lettuce. The Crack Chicken filling is perfect for a sandwich in much the same way Sloppy Joes are, too.
How To Store / Freeze
Store it in an air-tight container or zip-lock bag and you can freeze it for up to 3 months. In the refrigerator, you can store it for 4 days.
When you need to serve it –
- From the freezer – bring it down to the refrigerator and keep it overnight. Then follow the instruction for the ‘Refrigerator’ method.
- Refrigerator – Thaw it outside up to 2 hours. You can heat it in the microwave or over the stove. You can add little stock if it seems dry before heating.
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How Do You Make Crack Chicken
It is easy to make Crack Chicken at home in your slow cooker. Simply add the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours. Then shred your chicken and add bacon. I personally like using my Instant Pot because I can get the same moist chicken in minutes versus the hours it takes for my slow cooker to make it.
Ive been using my pressure cooker for a few years now and cant imagine what it would be like to not have it. Pressure Cooking isnt as intimidating as it once may have been.
To learn more about the benefits of pressure cooking check out our Pressure Cooker Guide.
Dont have an Instant Pot? Enjoy all the benefits and get yours now!
