Now you can have the best of both world with my Keto Crack Chicken recipe. Here’s another one to add to the long list of delicious keto dishes you can have for the low carb diet. Instead of using burger buns, I’ve used lettuce wraps making it a fresher and crispier alternative. You don’t want to miss this one.
Last updated: April 13, 2020
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What is crack chicken?
It’s often called the chicken recipe so addictive it’s compared to crack. How can this be so? The secret lies in ranch dressing and lots of cheese. Chicken breast is commonly used along with cream cheese. At times, cheddar cheese can be used too. What makes it unique is the chicken is conventionally slow cooked and by the time it’s ready, the chicken’s absorb all the flavors of ranch dressing and falling apart like house of cards. Topped with bacon and served in a burger bun it’s easy to see how it can be compared to crack.
What makes my recipe keto?
Instead of using ingredients high in carbs, I’ve opted to use keto friendly alternatives. For instance, instead of using burger buns I’ve opted for lettuce wraps. If you’re one to count your macro-nutrients, you’ll find my recipe yields just 5.4 grams of net carbs. Compare that to 27 grams of net carbs served in a bun!
What to serve with crack chicken keto?
Not a fan of lettuce wraps? No worries. Just like crack, keto crack chicken is versatile in many ways.
1.) By itself.
If you’re a minimalist, then I say more power to you. You can honestly enjoy crack chicken by itself. This is perfect if you’re on the run or really short on time. Just pack it up in either a zip lock bag or a container. It can be eaten cold or simply throw it in the microwave for reheating and you’re done.
2.) As a Salad.
Think tuna salad minus the tuna or even better, how about a buffalo chicken salad? Pour some Frank’s Hot Sauce and you’ve got yourself an irresistible plate of yum. If you have cucumbers or celery lying around, chop them up and add them in!
3.) Over Shirataki Noodles.
I’m all about seeing the best version of a dish and with the addition of shirataki noodles, think fettucine alfredo. Sure, they’re not exactly the same, but with crack chicken and shirataki you can get a similar texture and taste as they’re both cheesy and gluey. You know you want to do it!
If you’re just learning about shirataki noodles now, you’ve got to check out my shirataki noodles guide. What these amazing noodles allow, is the ability to eat pasta on the keto diet. Sure, they’re called noodles but honestly the difference between angel hair and noodles are subtle especially on the low carb diet.
4.) With Keto Pita Bread.
One of these days, I’ll provide my own keto pita recipe but this one’s pretty good. Kudos to flavcity for the video. This one’s great if you’re not a fan of vegetables or salads and just want something as close as possible to a conventional diet.
5.) As a Dip.
This one’s my personal favorites because it’s perfect for snacking or as an appetizer. You see, when you’re on the keto diet the list of snack items can be limited to jerky, pork rinds, and nuts. This one’s a winner if you’re a snacker like me. Add this one on the list! My recommendation is dipping it with cucumber, baby carrots, or celery. Mmmmmmmm.
How can I spice it up a little?
We all have different taste buds, I get it. I’m no different. If you feel the recipe is a little bland, I suggest adding some of the following condiments. You cannot go wrong with any of these and they’re all very keto friendly.
- Dabs of Hot Sauce (Frank’s Hot Sauce, Sriracha, Tabasco)
- Generously add more salt and pepper to taste
- Substitute fresh jalapeno for pickled jalapeno
- Add Pickles on the side
- Add Kim Chi on the side
- Top with sprinkles of Seaweed
- Top with Everything Bagel Seasoning
How to make Keto Crack Chicken
What You’ll Need
Pro Tips
- You can use pretty much any Ranch Dressing you can find at the market as they’re usually keto friendly. Always check the nutrition though just in case. And if you want to make your own, that’s even better. I use Kraft’s because it was cheap, quick, and readily available.
- I used bacon bits in my recipe to save time but you’re more than welcome to use the uncooked and precooked ones in the refrigerated aisles at the supermarket.
- To optimize Cream Cheese, prior to mixing them in with the chicken cut them into 1 inch cubes. That way it can cook evenly.
- With so many different manufacturers and taste preferences out there, the results will vary. If you like your chicken breast to be dryer, you can either reduce the amount of bone broth early in the recipe, heat the chicken uncovered longer, or add in some almond/coconut flour to thicken the sauce.
- If you do not like chicken breast, you’re more than welcome to use skinless, boneless chicken thighs instead.
- In my opinion, between the three ways of making crack chicken, I like the Instant Pot version the best. It’s fast, easy, and keeps the chicken moist.
- Not a fan of bacon? No worries. You can use ham or even spam in place. You can heat them over the frying pan and cut them into little strips.
Easy Keto Crack Chicken for Instant Pot, Crock Pot, and Oven
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Slow Cooker
- Oven
Ingredients
To make Crack Chicken
- 1 lb Chicken Breast
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 1 oz Ranch Dressing
- 0.5 cup Cheddar Cheese
- 4 oz Chicken Bone Broth
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Paprika (optional for extra kick)
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil
Toppings
- 1 stalk Scallion, chopped
- 1.5 oz Bacon Bits
- 1 whole Jalapeno, slices (optional for extra kick)
- 1 head Iceberg Lettuce
Instructions
Crack Chicken Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)
- In a separate bowl, season the chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper (to taste).
- Pour about a teaspoon of oil to instant pot, then place chicken breast in pot.
- Add ingredients of Cream Cheese, ranch dressing, and bone broth.
- Set on Manual for 12 minutes.
- Once 12 minutes are up, quick release the pressure and remove chicken from pot.
- Shred the chicken, and place back into pot. Put pot on saute mode, and as it warms up, add in cheddar cheese and jalapenos. Thoroughly mix ingredients together. Once cheddar has melted, it is ready. Pro tip: Cut the cream cheese into cubes. About 1 inch by 1 inch to distribute evenly.
- Spoon the chicken mix onto the center of the lettuce leaves. Garnish with scallions and bacon bits.
Crack Chicken Crock Pot (Slow Cooker)
- On a plate, season the chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, mix together ranch dressing, and bone broth.
- Move chicken to crock pot and pour ranch dressing mix over chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.Pro Tip: If using raw bacon, you can cut into little strips and add bacon on top of the chicken for this step.
- Once time is up, shred the chicken and add in cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and jalapeno. Mix together thoroughly. Cook on high for another 5-10 minutes. Pro tip: Cut the cream cheese into cubes. About 1 inch by 1 inch to distribute evenly.
- Spoon the chicken mix onto the center of the lettuce leaves. Garnish with scallions and bacon bits. Enjoy.
Crack Chicken Bake (For Oven)
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a pan with aluminum foil, spray or spread cooking oil over pan.
- In a separate plate, season the chicken with Ranch Dressing, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Place on pan. When oven is ready, move to the oven and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 50 minutes or until internal temperature's reach 165°F. Pro Tip: If using raw bacon, you can cut into little strips and add bacon on top of the chicken for this step.
- While the chicken is cooking in the oven, in separate bowl add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, jalapeno, and bone broth. Mix thoroughly. Pro tip: Cut the cream cheese into cubes. About 1 inch by 1 inch to distribute evenly.
- Once 50 minutes is up, remove the pan from the oven. Uncover it and shred the chicken.
- Then pour the cream cheese mixture over the chicken. Return pan to oven, and cook (uncovered) for another 5-10 minutes or until cheese has melted. Remove pan from oven.
- Spoon the chicken mix onto the center of the lettuce leaves. Garnish with scallions and bacon bits. Enjoy.
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