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? This is IT! Just hit print because this cracked-out chicken is what your long day needs. Need an Instant Pot version? Please hop on over to my recipe for Instant Pot Crack Chicken.
WHAT in the heck is “Crack” Chicken, you ask? According to the internet, this recipe got its name because ranch chicken is addictive… just like crack. Basically, this meal happened because everything good found its way into 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 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 with the cream cheese, and then spread a couple tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture on top of each chicken breast.
- Top with the cooked bacon and cheese; bake in a 400˚F 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 Chicken Breasts
- Transfer cooled crack chicken to an airtight container and store it 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!
Baked Crack Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick cut bacon, diced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 (1-pound, total) boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to ¼-inch thickness
- salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill weed
- ½ teaspoon dried chives
- 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, white or yellow – I use a little of both
- chopped fresh parsley
- sliced green scallions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Set a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the 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 ¼-inch to ½-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 the skillet isn't big enough – and cook chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom.
- Flip over the chicken breasts, add butter, and continue to cook for 2 more minutes or until browned.
- Remove chicken breasts from the skillet and arrange them in the 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. See notes.
- 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 diced bacon and add on top of the cream cheese over each chicken breast.
- 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.
Video
Notes
- You can substitute the garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, and chives with 1 Tablespoon of store-bought ranch seasoning mix.
- Keep leftovers tightly covered and store in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Absolutely delicious!! Made my own keto mayonnaise and keto Ranch dressing and used it in the recipe! I will make this again and again! Addicted!
My family loved it! Definitely one that I will make again!
That’s great! I’m very glad you and your family enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Just trying for the first time. I can’t find where or when to add butter.
My family loves this recipe! Especially the guys. The only thing I wonder about is how is four chicken breasts equal to 1 pound? The chicken breasts I normally buy at Aldi are about a pound each! I use two of those large chicken breasts for my family of six. I actually slice it flat wise instead of pounding that whole thing out and I find about two of them fill one 13 x 9 pan. However I am making it for a big group and tripling the recipe so when I ran into that part of the recipe again I had to wonder how much chicken to buy. I think I’m going to just do a whole family pack which is 5 to 6 pounds. Anyway, thank you for this recipe!
Hi!
Very happy you liked it! It’s my favorite cheesy chicken recipe. 😊
I know exactly what you mean about the size of the chicken breasts, and I also agree that it sounds so little. However, a single serving of chicken breasts (for one person) is 4 ounces, uncooked. 4 ounces per 4 people is equal to 16 ounces, or 1 pound. I hope this makes sense.
Oh OK. So you are talking about a serving of chicken breast, rather than a single chicken breast. Good to know!
Absolutely loved this recipe. So yummy! Thank you so much!
Yummmmmm. Easy, quick. Thanks!
11/03/2023 made this for tea and OMG it was bloody good 😊😊 I followed exactly as the recipe said. I had some bacon bits left over so I chopped up some red, yellow & orange bell peppers into the same size as the bacon and mixed them together then laid them in the bottom of the dish with the chicken and cheese mixture and it turned out absolutely delicious served it with new potatoes and asparagus yum yum .
Will be making this again and again it’s a keeper. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
I might try this tonight. On another note, why not just use the real name? There are so many “crack” recipes, and it’s kind of gross when you think about it.
Can I make ahead and cook later
Hi!
Yes, but keep it covered and refrigerated until ready to bake.
This was absolutely delicious! My husband loved it! I used the dried Ranch Dressing packet and the flavor was amazing; the cream cheese and bacon was a perfect touch! Definitely will be making this again.
Thank you so much! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I didn’t have any cream cheese so used mayo, it was really good.
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Loved this especially with the bacon. Followed directions. Next time I will reduce the amount of cream cheese mixture. Just a little too much for my taste. Could have been because my chicken breast were small. Satisfying recipe.
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I have some precooked chicken breasts. I am wondering how long I would need to cook after topping the chicken – I don’t want the chicken to get tough. Do I need to adjust the temperature?
Keep an eye on it and pull it out of the oven as soon as the cheeses have melted.
Would switching out the chicken breast for chicken thighs require any changes to the cooking instructions? I’m not a cook so wasn’t sure. Thanks.
I made this recipe and it was a big hit. I followed the recipe as written, except I forgot to put the butter in. It was delicious with out it so must be even better with it!
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Hi! If I double the recipe should I use 2 tbsp of ranch seasoning?
If you’re using more chicken breasts than the recipe suggests, then yeah, I would up the seasonings, too.
Very easy to make, but I put more herbs on my chicken, including half a packet of Ranch dressing (seasoning). Still turned out good.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I don’t know how this got any higher than 2 stars. For the amount of work you have to do for this recipe it’s not worth it.
Great recipe only instead of wasting time and energy pounding the bejesus out of the chicken breasts just butterfly them instead.
really good, definitely a comfort food with all the best flavors! Also, thank you for putting a jump to recipe & print recipe button right at the top of the page and for making your print recipe feature customizable w/ servings & printing options – super helpful for readers & makes me visit your site more often for recipes.
What do you serve with this recepie
Hi!
I like to serve it with roasted asparagus, but you can serve it with a number of side dishes like, roasted zucchini or cauliflower, salads, too. If you need some inspiration, here’s a list of my side dish recipes: https://diethood.com/recipes/side-dishes/
I made this Sunday afternoon. It was Delicious! It made enough for 4 or more meals!
That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
This was absolutely delicious!
Thank you for sharing!!
This was really great! My husband doesn’t care for ranch anything and he loved this! I used the bacon/veggie oil/butter to fry cubed potatoes and broccoli. It was an amazing dinner. Thank you for sharing!
That’s great! I’m very glad you and your husband enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
This was really good……will make again.
Thank YOU! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
This was amazing! So many different flavors. We will be having this again. We had steamed broccoli and cauliflower as the side.
That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I made this for dinner this evening. My Husband said he did not want dinner to end. He had 2 pieces. This was the 1st time I made it and I used the ranch dressing. Easy too. Loved.
That’s great to hear! I’m very happy you and your husband enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
This Baked Crack Chicken breast is so good! I used Kikkoman Ponzu Citrus Seasoned Dressing & Sauce that I bought from Karman Foods. It’s delicious!
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Can I substitute the cream cheese for something else? Not a fan of cream cheese
Hi!
You can try it with sour cream.
Set it to High Pressure for 30 minutes. Let pressure come down naturally and then check the internal temperature of the roast with a meat thermometer; it should register at 145˚F. If it’s less than that, place the lid back on the pot to let the carryover heat cook the pork to doneness.
This is a keeper! The hubs and I loved it!
That’s great! I’m very glad you loved it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Made this for dinner, looks good
Thank YOU! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
To say the least I’m a newbie when it comes to cooking. I followed the recipe to a T, and it was delicious. The 2nd time I prepared it I added sliced jalapeños the last 5 minutes, which took it up a level. My favorite dish and easy to prepare.
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I just served this for dinner and it was a big hit with the family. I had all the ingredients already and it was very easy to make. This will defiantly be made again here. Thank you for the great recipe❣️
That’s great! I am very glad you and your family enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
We absolutely loved this recipe. I used Neufchâtel cheese and low-fat cheese to top it. Thanks for the tip on WW points. We loved it and it will be made again!
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Well, I do believe that I will make this beautiful dish. After browning alittle bit on both sides of the chicken can I finish the recipe in a Crock-Pot? I use my Crock-Pot alot.
This looks and sound so delicious. It seems like I can almost smell it cooking 🙂
Thank YOU! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
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 🙂
Mac and cheese and green beans
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.
Can you put the chicken in the air fryer first instead of pan frying?
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
I just did it the way you did it and LOVE the extra flavor. Hope yours turned out amazing as well.
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.
Would it still be same oz of sour cream if we use instead of cream cheese?
Yep, about the same amount should work just fine. Keep in mind, the overall taste of the dish might be a bit different than intended per the original recipe.
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!