Instant Pot Crack Chicken with Bacon and Cheddar Recipe
Introduction
This Easy Instant Pot Crack Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish that comes together quickly with minimal effort. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it features tender shredded chicken mixed with cheese, bacon, and ranch seasoning for a comforting and crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
- 10 slices bacon (cooked)
- 2.5 lbs chicken breast (boneless and skinless)
- 1 (8 oz) cream cheese package (cubed)
- 1 oz Ranch dressing dry seasoning mix (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 cup chicken broth (or water)
- 8 oz cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 6 hamburger buns
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange a rack in the lower third of the oven.
- Step 2: Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until deep golden-brown and crispy. Check around 12 minutes to monitor progress. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add the chicken breasts and cubed cream cheese to the Instant Pot.
- Step 4: Sprinkle the Ranch dressing mix, minced garlic, onion powder, and paprika over the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth.
- Step 5: Secure the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure and open the lid.
- Step 6: Remove the chicken and transfer to a bowl or cutting board. Shred with two forks.
- Step 7: Switch the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and stir the cream cheese mixture until smooth and combined.
- Step 8: Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and fully incorporated.
- Step 9: Turn off the Instant Pot and return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir to coat the chicken evenly in the cheese sauce.
- Step 10: Chop the cooked bacon and stir it into the chicken mixture. Serve hot on hamburger buns topped with extra bacon, cheese, and chopped green onions.
Tips & Variations
- Use precooked bacon for a faster prep time, or cook it yourself for maximum freshness and flavor.
- Adjust the Ranch seasoning to your taste for a milder or stronger flavor.
- Try adding diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Swap cheddar cheese with pepper jack or mozzarella for a different cheese profile.
- Serve over rice or on top of a salad for a low-carb alternative to buns.
Storage
Store any leftover crack chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until heated through, stirring occasionally to maintain creaminess.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just add a few extra minutes to the pressure cooking time, about 12-15 minutes, and ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before shredding.
What can I substitute for Ranch dressing mix?
If you don’t have Ranch seasoning, you can mix together dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper as a homemade alternative.
PrintInstant Pot Crack Chicken with Bacon and Cheddar Recipe
This Easy Instant Pot Crack Chicken recipe combines tender shredded chicken breast with creamy cream cheese, flavorful ranch seasoning, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfectly cooked under pressure, the chicken is juicy and infused with rich flavors, then mixed with a cheesy sauce and topped with bacon for an irresistible sandwich filling. Ideal for quick weeknight meals or game day snacks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Meat & Protein
- 10 slices bacon (cooked and chopped)
- 2.5 lbs chicken breast (boneless and skinless)
Dairy
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese (cubed)
- 8 oz cheddar cheese (shredded)
Seasonings & Broth
- 1 oz Ranch dressing dry seasoning mix (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 cup chicken broth (or water)
Bread & Garnishes
- 6 hamburger buns
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a rack in the lower third of the oven. Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until crispy and deep golden brown, checking around 12 minutes to prevent burning. Remove bacon and set aside to cool, then chop into pieces.
- Prepare Instant Pot: Add the boneless skinless chicken breasts and the cubed cream cheese into the Instant Pot.
- Add Seasonings and Broth: Sprinkle the ranch dressing mix, minced garlic, paprika, and onion powder over the chicken. Pour in the chicken broth (or water) to help create steam for pressure cooking.
- Pressure Cook Chicken: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. After cooking, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure and opening the lid.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the Instant Pot and transfer them to a large bowl or cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken finely.
- Create Cheese Sauce: Switch the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Whisk the remaining cream cheese mixture in the pot until smooth and combined.
- Melt Cheese: Add shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce in the Instant Pot and stir until fully melted and creamy.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Turn off the Instant Pot heat, then add the shredded chicken back into the cheese sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Add Bacon and Serve: Stir in the chopped bacon pieces, reserving some for garnish if desired. Spoon the crack chicken mixture onto hamburger buns. Garnish with additional bacon, cheese, and chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
- You can use precooked bacon to save time, or cook bacon fresh in the oven as instructed.
- Adjust the amount of ranch seasoning to your taste preference.
- Chicken broth can be substituted with water if you prefer a lighter flavor.
- For a lower fat version, consider using reduced-fat cream cheese and cheddar.
- This mixture also works well served over rice or with a side of steamed vegetables.
Keywords: Instant Pot Crack Chicken, creamy chicken recipe, pressure cooker chicken, cheesy chicken sandwich, easy chicken dinner, crack chicken
