Get ready to crave this versatile comfort dish. It’s creamy, comforting, and so full of flavor that you won’t believe how easy this keto crack chicken recipe is to make.
See the full rooster 🐓 I mean, *roster* of keto chicken recipes here, such as my pizza chicken rolls, keto fried chicken, or keto chicken parmesan.
Instant Comfort
It’s based on my mom’s recipe. It’s easy to make. It has cream cheese.
It’s comfort food at its finest.
There are several versions of this crockpot classic, but obviously, my mom’s is the best. I make mine most often in the Instant Pot. That’s because even though I cook for work—on (the many) nights when I don’t have a dinner plan, I do not have hours to devote to dinner—even if the crockpot is doing most of the work.
Easy ingredients bring the flavor. The secret to my version is shredding the chicken so that all the flavors meld together. This way you get all that savory goodness in every single bite. The hardest part is deciding how to serve it.
Mom’s classic was on a roll with melty cheddar cheese and bbq sauce—and I still serve it this way. I’ve also wrapped in lettuce, piled it high over cauliflower rice and used leftovers for some deluxe nachos. I absolutely love this served with cheddar cheese crisps for a feel good lunch.
I know you’ll love it too…but how will you serve it? Enjoy! – Linds x
What is crack chicken?
Crack chicken is incredibly delicious shredded chicken tossed in melted cream cheese, ranch dressing, crispy bacon and green onions. We like to eat it for lunch (think of it as an upgraded keto chicken salad), but it also makes an amazing app.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breast – this is one of the few recipes where I don’t mind using chicken breast! If you’d prefer to make keto crack chicken thighs, feel free to sub it in (just be sure to grab boneless/skinless).
- Cream cheese
- Ranch dressing packet – find these next to the Ranch at your grocery store. I love Hidden Valley’s mix.
- Bacon – crisped + crumbled.
- Green onions
Variations
Feel free to add your spin to this recipe! Here are some ideas for you:
- Bake chicken breasts and cover them with crack chicken ingredients.
- Add some shredded cheddar for extra decadence.
- Skip the bacon for a Kosher variation.
- Add some veggies! Think keto crack chicken with broccoli, spinach, or cauliflower.
- Turn this into a keto crack chicken soup by adding chicken broth, and cutting the cream cheese in half.
How to Make Crack Chicken in a Slow Cooker
- Place chicken, cream cheese, and ranch packet in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
- Remove the lid, shred the chicken. Add the bacon and green onions and toss to combine.
Making Instant Pot Crack Chicken
Crack chicken cooks for only 15 minutes in your Instant Pot! (plus some time to come to and release the pressure). If you prefer this method, keep in mind you’ll want to add 1/2 cup of chicken broth so the meat doesn’t burn along the bottom edge.
Keto Serving Recommendations
This crack chicken is so good you’ll want to eat it from the bowl with a spoon! But if you’re feeling classy:
- Making crack chicken sandwiches with my keto hamburger buns. Don’t forget some melted cheddar cheese as well.
- A dip with keto crackers, cheese crackers, celery sticks, or sliced cucumbers.
- Make wraps using leafy lettuce or keto wraps.
More Tasty Apps To Try
Crack Chicken
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 Pounds Chicken Breasts boneless + skinless
- 16 Ounces (2 blocks) Cream Cheese cut into cubes
- 2 – 1 Ounce Packets Dry Ranch Dressing Mix
- 8 Ounces Bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup Green Onions sliced
To Serve (choose your fave):
- cucumber slices
- celery sticks
- bell pepper slices
- keto hamburger buns
Instructions
- Pat chicken (2 pounds) completely dry using paper towels and place in the crockpot (see notes for Instant Pot instructions). Top evenly with cream cheese cubes (16 ounces), followed by the ranch dressing packets (2 1 ounce packets).
- Secure crockpot lid and cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 6-8 hours. Test the chicken doneness by shredding it with 2 forks, it should fall apart easily – if not place lid on top and continue to cook, checking every 15 minutes, until it does.
- Shred the cooked chicken. Add bacon (8 ounces) and green onions (1/4 cup) to the crockpot. Toss everything together until well combined. Enjoy!
Fans Also Made These Low Carb Recipes:
Lindsey’s Tips
- Instant Pot Crack Chicken – Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth, chicken, cream cheese, and ranch dressing packets to your IP. Seal the lid and make sure the pressure release valve is set to “sealing”. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Switch the valve to “venting”, and once the pin drops, remove the lid. Shred the chicken, add the other ingredients, and toss to combine!
Yummy! Made it in a slow cooker and served it in sourdough buns for a delicious meal! Really creamy and perfectly salty with bacon! Delicious!
Yay! That’s sounds really awesome, Ieva! SO glad you enjoyed!
I love using it on a crispy piece of bread in the morning. Always gets me going!
Sounds really good, Mahy! SO glad you loved it!
I always make it for my friend’s parties. It never disappoints and everybody LOVES it!
Yay! SO glad to hear that, Dionne!
This quickly became a favorite at my house! Thanks for the recipe!
You’re very welcome, Toni! SO glad everyone liked it!
This looks absolutely amazing! I love all the flavor in here, and I REALLY love how easy it is to make!
Yay! SO glad you loved it, Beth!
This is definitely a must try! So good and easy to make!
Can’t agree with you more, Sandra!
I can’t get enough of this recipe. We love it on sandwiches and in wraps.
Yay! SO glad you all loved it, Krystle!
Looks delish! I would love to make this!
Yay! Can’t wait to hear what you think, Erin!
This chicken is so flavorful! Must make it for sure!
Yay! Can’t wait to hear what you think, Catalina!
Yay! One of my family’s favorites, thanks Linds1
Hope you enjoy, Jhim! <3
Can this be served cold/room temp, or does it need to be served hot, for the creamy. cheesiness? I was wondering abut making using it like a chicken salad in lettuce wraps for a picnic lunch.
Hi Penny! Great idea, it would make incredible chicken salad for lettuce wraps! I like it best warm, but it’s delicious cold as well!