Keto Crack Chicken
Published November 6, 2022 • Updated February 2, 2026
Creamy, cheesy chicken dish with bacon & ranch
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This addictive keto crack chicken recipe is easy to whip together with only a handful of ingredients, and you get three ways to make it - slow cooker, Instant Pot, or oven!
If you love delicious comfort food, you’ve probably got some casseroles taking up space in your weekly meal rotations. Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole and Broccoli Chicken Casserole are two of my favorite comforting low carb casseroles.
Another delicious and easy way to whip up a craveable chicken comfort meal is with this crack chicken! Shredded chicken mixed in a creamy cheesy sauce with bits of bacon and green onion is so addictive you’ll want to eat it on everything! This crack chicken recipe has instructions for slow cooker, pressure cooker and the oven. For an easy low carb chicken dinner, serve it over cauliflower rice and top with more shredded cheese for a quick dinner, then use leftovers to make chicken sandwiches the next day with this bread roll recipe.
What to eat with keto crack chicken
- Cauliflower rice
- Keto Bread Rolls
- Roasted Asparagus
- Air fryer Keto Cauliflower
- Keto Hamburger Buns
- Shirataki Noodles
Key ingredients & substitutions
- Chicken – Use boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts. If you’re using the instant pot or slow cooker, feel free to use frozen chicken and add 5 minutes to the instant pot and 1-2 hours to the slow cooker.
- Ranch seasoning – Make your own homemade ranch seasoning or buy premade ranch seasoning packets.
- Cream cheese – Use block cream cheese cut into cubes for this recipe. Alternatively, you could blend together equal parts plain greek yogurt and cottage cheese for a cream cheese replacement in this recipe.
- Bacon – Cook your bacon using the air fryer, on the grill, or in the oven, then chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese goes well with crack chicken, but you can also use shredded Colby, Monterey jack, pimento, swiss, gouda, or a combination of cheeses.
- Green onions – Freshly sliced green onions. You can use both the green and white parts if you’d like.
- Chicken broth – This is only needed for the Instant Pot method as pressure cooking requires liquid.
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Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts -
1 packet ranch seasoning
-
16 oz cream cheese, cubed
-
10 slices bacon, cooked & chopped
-
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
-
⅓ cup sliced green onions
-
½ cup chicken broth (only for instant pot)
Step by Step Instructions
Step by Step Instructions
Slow cooker instructions
Add chicken to the liner of a slow cooker. Sprinkle ranch seasoning over chicken. Top with cubed cream cheese. Cover and let cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Turn heat to warm. Shred chicken. Stir in bacon. Top with shredded cheddar cheese. Cover and let sit for 5-10 minutes or until cheese has melted. Top with green onions.
Instant Pot instructions
Pour chicken broth to the liner of the Instant Pot. Add chicken and sprinkle ranch seasoning over chicken. Secure lid. Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Do a quick release, open lid and shred chicken. Switch to SAUTE mode and stir in cream cheese and bacon until cheese is melted. Top or stir in shredded cheese. Garnish with green onions.
Oven instructions for crack chicken casserole
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pound chicken breast or thighs until they are about ¼ inch thick to ensure even cooking. Place chicken in a single layer of a 9×13 baking dish. In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, ranch seasoning, ½ cup cheddar cheese and bacon. Spread over the chicken. Top with remaining shredded cheddar cheese. Bake chicken in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. Remove and top with green onions.
Nutrition disclaimer
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.
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Get My Macros (Free) →Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my crack chicken watery?
If you made crack chicken using frozen chicken thighs or breasts, it could be watery from the extra moisture. If it’s a lot of water, drain some of it out before mixing the cream cheese in.
What type of chicken is commonly used in crack chicken?
Boneless skinless chicken breasts and chicken thighs work best for keto crack chicken.
Can I use a rotisserie chicken to make crack chicken?
Yes! If using a precooked chicken, just shred the chicken then add the other ingredients to the shredded chicken either in a pot on the stove over medium heat until melted and well combined or in a pan baked at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
I love this recipe! My husband who wasn’t doing keto with me the first time we had it (he finally started 3 years later!) loved it too.
I have a question though: the first time I followed the crock pot directions and it was perfect. This second time I chose the oven one. I feel like the baking time is off- 25 minutes isn’t long enough to bake chicken- especially since your rotisserie directions have the same time listed for already cooked chicken. Also it’s unclear in this version- I’m assuming you still shred the chicken once it’s baked? Mostly just commenting to help others! LOVE your recipes!
Thanks for your input. I will revisit the recipe. I think if you used thicker chicken breasts or thighs and didn't pound the chicken first, it would take longer. The rotisserie chicken instructions are just to heat up everything. I actually think it would take less time. I'll have to revisit that again too. Maybe I miss calculated my time.
You left the amount of calories, but what is the serving??
You divide it into 6 portions. It makes 6 servings.
Holy mother of god, this is freaking delishious. Creamy and savory... when that bacin taste comes in right after the creamy, cheesy, ranch flavors 😱
I have made many of your dishes and loved them. I tried this new recipe tonight and it was good but more as a dip as an appetizer than a dinner to me. Everyone commented it seemed too heavy.