Baked Crack Chicken Breasts, also referred to as Ranch Chicken with Bacon, is a delicious and creamy dish loaded with cheese and bacon. Hard to believe that Crack Chicken is also Low Carb and Keto-Friendly!
WHAT IS CRACK CHICKEN?
Crack Chicken is a deliciously creamy combination of chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning. This family-friendly, make-ahead meal is a great weeknight dinner, but also perfect for a weekend crowd.
Looking for an easy baked chicken recipe? YOU GOT IT! Just hit print because this cracked-out chicken is what your Monday needs. Need an Instant Pot version? Hop on over to my recipe for Instant Pot Crack Chicken.
WHAT in the heck is “Crack” Chicken, you ask? Well, according to the internetS, this recipe got its name because ranch chicken is addictive… just like crack. Basically what happened in this meal is that everything good found its way in one dish and everyone approved.
Kind of like our Jalapeno Popper Baked Chicken, but without the peppers. 😃
And you won’t believe just how easy this is to make.
HOW TO MAKE BAKED CRACK CHICKEN BREASTS
- We start with frying our bacon until crispy.
- Remove cooked bacon from skillet. Keep bacon grease in the skillet and add the chicken breasts to cook just until browned on both sides; about 2 to 3 minutes per side. When done, transfer chicken breasts to a baking dish.
- Prepare the cream cheese by adding a tablespoon of ranch seasoning to it. I make my own ranch seasoning, but you can also use store-bought. Mix it up well and then spread a couple tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture on top of each chicken breast.
- Top with cooked bacon and cheese; bake in a 400F preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from oven and serve.
All in all, you will need about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Besides, how can anyone not want this? Starting with the fact that it’s made with crispy bacon and ranch flavored cream cheese, and ending with the fact that it’s going to have that golden, melty cheese on top. ALSO, LOW CARB and KETO.
Friends, git ‘er done!
MAKE AHEAD CRACK CHICKEN
- Assemble everything in the baking dish, but don’t bake. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days.
- Remove wrap and bake as directed.
HOW TO FREEZE CRACK CHICKEN
- Transfer cooled crack chicken to an airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- When ready to serve, remove from freezer the night before and let thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat and serve.
MORE BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS RECIPES
- Juicy Caprese Baked Chicken
- Cheesy Chicken Spinach Bake
- Easy Cheesy Baked Chicken Breasts with Mushrooms
- Baked Chicken Parmesan
ENJOY!
TOOLS USED IN THIS RECIPE
Baked Crack Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick cut bacon, diced
FOR THE CHICKEN
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 (1-pound, total) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
- salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
FOR THE RANCH CREAM CHEESE
- 4- ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
- 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, white or yellow - I use a little of both
FOR GARNISH
- chopped fresh parsley
- sliced green scallions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Set a large skillet over medium-high heat and add in diced bacon; cook until crispy.
- Remove bacon from skillet and set aside. DON'T discard bacon fat.
- Return skillet to heat and add vegetable oil to the remaining bacon fat.
- Pound chicken breasts to a 1/4-inch thickness and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Add chicken breasts to the hot oil - you may have to do this in batches if skillet isn't big enough - and cook chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Flip over the chicken breasts, add butter, and continue to cook for 3 more minutes.
- Remove chicken breasts from skillet and arrange in previously prepared baking dish. Set aside.
- In a small bowl combine cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, and chives; mix until thoroughly combined. Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly. *You can also just stir in 1 tablespoon of store-bought ranch seasoning.
- Top each chicken breast with 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture. Spread to coat the surface of each chicken breast.
- Take half of the bacon and add on top of the cream cheese.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the chicken breasts.
- Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Remove from oven.
- Garnish with remaining bacon, fresh parsley, and scallions.
- Serve.
Notes
- Transfer cooled crack chicken to a large freezer bag or airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- When ready to serve, remove from freezer the night before and let thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat and serve.
Slow Cooker
One Pot
Instant Pot
Beef
This looks and sound so delicious. It seems like I can almost smell it cooking 🙂
This was amazing! Loved it! I’m in the very early stages of learning how to cook and this meal was laid out perfect! Question though, what would be a few good sides to go with this meal? Green beans maybe?
Steamed Broccoli, or Roasted Asparagus, or sure – green beans! I served it with a salad and steamed broccoli – we’re keto and gluten-free 🙂
Very good. Husband and son like it. I added slices of jalapeño to the cheese mixture to zip it up a bit. Next time, will likely add Calabrian chilis to the cream cheese.
You can use jalapeños cream cheese or onion & chive cream cheese from the start. I opt for a mixture of half & half of both. Then add your dry ranch dressing to the mix!
Of course there are no carbs in vegetable oil. It’s a fat. The problem with vegetable oil, regardless of what dietary plan you follow, is that it’s high in omega 6, which is inflammatory. You need some, but we get way too much in the standard American diet. Also, polyunsaturated fats (which includes most seed/vegetable oils) oxidize more easily when heated and increase our exposure to free radicals. The best oils to cook with are saturated fats like coconut oil, ghee (aka clarified butter), lard, and tallow. Monounsaturated fats such as extra virgin olive and avocado oil are also good options for cooking. Olive oil is cardio protective, has a high smoke point, and resists oxidation.
Recipe sounds good, but on a Keto diet you do not use vegetable oil!. Never should use Vegetable Oil!!
There are no carbs in 1 tablespoon of veg oil! But yes if on keto avoid. Using all butter might be better for your diet 🙂
This is spool great! Flavor is on point and easy to follow. There isn’t a single ingredient in this recipe that I don’t like.
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I like crack. Oh, do I long for the 80’s.
Love the recipe HATE the name because of its origin. Please stick with ranch chicken.
Grow Up and learn to laugh a little. I bet you are a hoot at parties 🙄
Crack is Whack.
But, Keto Crack is Divine!
Cooking in my oven right now.
Smells heavenly, I’m sure it’ll taste just as awesome.
Thank you for such a wonderful recipe.
*switched out the vegetable oil with olive oil. Worked great!
Making this today! From the comments & just the ingredients, this has got to be good! Can’t wait!
Thank you!
I wanted to get the baking dish you recommend but in the description it says do not use in the oven!
I hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Thank you for the recipe. Looking for a different low carb chicken recipe. I followed to the tee and didn’t change a thing. The recipe was tasty but we felt that it wasn’t one that we could have often because it was very rich. And I realized on a low carb keto diet that rich is what you’re supposed to have but it was just a little too rich for us. Thank you very much for a great recipe we will have it probably once a month.
I am happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I was cooking it and following it closely and then saw that I seasoned with ranch and added the onion powder and garlic powder as well hopefully wife isn’t to seasoned
Can’t wait to make this! Quick question, I’m assuming the spices equate to ranch seasoning (never thought about what’s in ranch) bso I’m guessing I could just use a packet of ranch seasoning instead? Thank you!
Hi!
Yep, you can use a tablespoon of store-bought ranch seasoning.
This was a huge hit at my house. Even my picky eater toddler loved it.
That’s great! I am very happy you enjoyed this recipe! Thank YOU! 🙂
Can I use sour cream instead of cream cheese? It’s all I have right now and I love this recipe!
Hi!
Yep, I think that would be OK. The taste might be a bit different, of course, but it will definitely work.
Delicious a little extra work to complete the steps but if you have the time it is well worth it
I am very happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Excellent, my husband loved it.
I am very happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
This was BANGIN! My new favorite chicken dish! Thank you so much for posting!
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much! 🙂
Thank you so much for a great (and I do mean great!) chicken dinner. My entire family loved it and it is one I am keeping to serve to anyone, Keto or not. This chicken is like one you would get in a restaurant. Thanks again. I really appreciate it.
Thank YOU so much, Sara!! I am very happy you and your family enjoyed it!! 🙂
This was delicious the first time we made it. Tonight, I’m going to try cooking/baking this in my favorite cast iron skillet!
I am very happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Is there a way to make this in the crock pot instead using precooked bacon?
Yummy Yummy Yummy! I was a little nervous at first when I saw cream cheese (I love it) but my grown kids dont..so I substituted it w/Kens Ranch dressing & used uncured Turkey bacon and they loved it! I forgot to take a pic I was too hungry lol but Thank u!
That’s wonderful! I am very happy you enjoyed it!! Thank YOU! 🙂
Delicious!! Will definitely make this again!
Well, in a hurry to get dinner served, I am not a great (or even good) cook. Kids were buzzarding around the kitchen so I did this the ‘lazy girl’ way. Cooked bacon and chicken as directed but sliced the chicken breasts (goes further). Mixed cream cheese and ranch dressing in a gallon ziplock bag, threw in the chicken and squashed it all together. Poured ranched chicken into a baking dish over riced cauliflower. Topped all with bacon, green onions and cheese. Baked at 400F for 15 minutes. I’d have shared a picture but it all disappeared so fast! Husband said I should definitely make that dish again! 😁
So, you put the riced cauliflower down first and then the chicken on top?
AMAZING! I had tried a different cheesy chicken bacon recipe that Was just ok. I made this Crack Chicken tonight for dinner and it was sooooooo good! My husband has requested that I make enough for him to have 2 pieces next time! Awesome awesome AWESOME recipe!
i read baked chicken on crack instead of the title lol
😂 😂 😂
I took it a step further and made rice with the cream cheese mixture and cream of chicken soup and put that under the chicken. Easy one dish meal!!!
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to make it for my family tonight! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! 😋
What else did you serve the chicken with, as a side?
I made this for my family tonight. I didn’t realize I didn’t have cheddar cheese. I subed in Mozzarella cheese. Still delicious!
Does the cream cheese melt or does it stay on top; just soft from baking?
Any idea how to incorporate the cream cheese into a sauce instead?
I love the flavor, by the way!
I’d eat this 7/365!
Hi!
Yep, it softens up and starts to melt all around the chicken as it bakes. You can soften or melt the cream cheese in a skillet beforehand, and mix in different spices and even salsa… if that’s what you mean by a sauce?
What is the serving size?
This is an AMAZING recipe! I made a double batch and put some of it on Hawaiian rolls for a get together. Everyone kept saying “They really are like crack!” Two people even left the party and came back with more rolls! This is delicious and quite easy. Thank you!
My whole family loved it including our 4 and 2 year old! I did double up on the spices in the cream cheese mixture, but otherwise great!!!
Absolutely fantastic flavor and EASY!!!!
Such a good recipe! I add a lot more seasoning though. This has been added to the favorites!
Do you think I could skip the skillet part of the recipe and just bake everything in the oven longer? I was planning to use pre-cooked bacon that you microwave. I’m a fan of less cleanup. TIA
Oh yeah, that will definitely work. I’m also a HUGE fan of less cleanup – I totally get it! 😀
This recipe is a real keeper. My husband loved it. We are going to make it for company. It is so pretty on the plate.
I have to try this on the next cooler day 🙂 Now that the warm weather has finally made it’s way to NJ, I won’t have the oven on as much. But I think I would use my cast iron pan because I can fry the bacon, then do the chicken in the pan and just put the pan in the oven.
I bet my whole family will love this meal
This was absolutely delicious!! Even my pickiest little eater liked it!! Thank you for sharing!!
I know for sure this would be a huge hit in my house!
This was amazing last night and my family asked for it to be added to next week’s menu already! Truly a family hit 🙂
So many delicious elements in this dish.
This crack chicken is amazing! Especially since bacon is involved!
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try this delicious comfort food!
This looks AMAZING!! Love how flavorful and delicious it is!
It was delicious. Will be making again! Made it just as described – with plain cream cheese. There is enough flavor in the ranch to suffice. Was a little worried when I opened the slow cooker and there was some liquid in the bottom – but when you shred the chicken and mix everything up, that disappears. LOVED IT.
I was looking for a chicken recipe for the whole family and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made it deliciously! Every member of my family is so happy! Thanks for this
This looks so yummy! I love the addition of cream cheese!
It was totally meant to be that I found your recipe today. I have everything to make this for dinner tonight. It looks amazing!