Crack Chicken
Crack Chicken is a creamy, cheesy comfort meal combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, melted cheddar, and a rich ranch-flavored sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy family meals, this recipe delivers big on flavor with simple ingredients and minimal prep.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 6 bacon strips
Dairy
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasoning & Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 3 green onions, chopped
Optional Liquids
- Splash of milk or chicken broth (if needed for sauce consistency)
- Cook the Bacon: Fry the bacon strips in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels, then crumble or chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve the rendered bacon fat in the skillet for cooking the chicken.
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the same skillet with bacon fat. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for about 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked through and golden on the edges. Remove and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In the skillet with a bit of the reserved bacon fat, add the cream cheese and ranch seasoning. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and the mixture becomes a smooth, rich sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen it.
- Combine Everything: Shred the cooked chicken using two forks and return it to the skillet. Stir in the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese. Cook on low heat until the cheese melts and the ingredients are well combined. Fold in the chopped green onions for freshness and color.
Notes
- Using shredded rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut to save cooking time.
- Don’t discard bacon fat; it adds smoky depth when cooking the chicken.
- Adjust the sharpness of cheddar cheese to your taste preference.
- Add a splash of chicken broth or milk if the sauce becomes too thick during cooking.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the creamiest texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Crack Chicken, creamy chicken, cheesy chicken, bacon chicken, ranch chicken, quick dinner, comfort food