This Instant Pot Gourmet Crack Chicken is so good, you’re going to want to eat more than one serving! I’ve added my gourmet touches and lightened it up a bit using low fat (reduced) cream cheese, bacon crumbles instead of frying the bacon in the Instant Pot. Even though it’s “lightened up,” it’s still super delicious. Serve it over cauliflower rice or cold in lettuce wraps for a low carb option.
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It’s called Crack Chicken because it’s so addicting and you want to eat more! You’ll find other similar recipes (not so healthy maybe) on the internet – it’s a widely popular recipe. Interestingly enough there is actually a trademark on the name, “Crack Chicken,” from Eastside Fish Fry & Grill in Lansing, Michigan. Customers call their chicken, “Crack Chicken,” because of the special seasoning they use on their fried chicken that makes it so yummy. But it’s totally different from this recipe.
How is this recipe lightened up?
I do try to keep my main recipe dishes under 9 WW Smart Points (Green Plan) but this one is worth a little splurge every now and then. While this recipe still contains quite a few calories and points, this version is a bit healthier for these reasons:
Low fat/reduced cream cheese – No it doesn’t melt as well as the full fat cream cheese but it does save some calories and points.
Bacon crumbles instead of frying bacon pieces – While my favorite way to make this is to fry strips of bacon right in the Instant Pot and use the grease to brown the onions, it’s definitely not the healthiest, but it sure tastes great! By using bacon crumbles (I like the ones from Costco) you eliminate most of the bacon grease, thus healthier for you.
Sharp cheddar cheese -By using sharp cheddar, you can use less cheese because the sharp has more flavor than other cheeses. Swiss cheese would also be a great cheese for this dish.
Low carb options for serving – Serve it over cauliflower rice, serve it cold in lettuce wraps, over a salad, or as an open faced sandwich (using 1/2 bun instead of the whole bun).
Is this a Keto Crack Chicken recipe?
Actually this crack chicken recipe is keto friendly with the exception of the tablespoon of sherry. I’m always trying to balance my ww friendly diet with my husband’s keto diet. Often times they do not mesh well. But this recipe, while a little higher in points/calories for me, is perfectly fine for his keto diet.
Can you substitute something besides Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning?
In my opinion, “No!” The Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix is what makes the dish taste so great. If you’re worried about sodium, try reducing the amount of seasoning but don’t completely cut it out.
Jump To RecipeI bet you can’t just eat one serving! Easy, healthy, cozy comfort food!
How to serve Crack Chicken
over cauliflower rice/brown/white rice
serve cold over salad
serve cold in lettuce wraps
as Crack Chicken Dip – use jicama, celery and carrots for “chips,” for a lower carb option
on a bun (or do an open-faced sandwich for lower carbs)
How to Make Instant Pot Gourmet Crack Chicken in Pictures:
Brown the onions and garlic in the butter.
Add chicken broth, ranch dressing mix and rosemary.
Add chicken and bacon crumbles. Stir.
Place low fat cream cheese chunks on top of chicken mixture. Do not stir. Otherwise you might get the “burn,” message on the Instant Pot if the cream cheese settles at the bottom. Press manual and pressure cook (with vent sealed) on high for 8 min. Allow to natural release for 5 min, then release pressure.
Add cheddar cheese, sherry and green onions. Stir well.
Serve over cauliflower rice/rice and garnish with a little more green onions.
This Instant Pot Gourmet Crack Chicken is so good, you’re going to want to eat more than one serving! I’ve added my gourmet touches and lightened it up a bit using low fat (reduced) cream cheese, bacon crumbles instead of frying the bacon in the Instant Pot. Even though it’s “lightened up,” it’s still super delicious. Serve it over cauliflower rice or cold in lettuce wraps for a low carb option. It’s great reheated as leftovers!
Scale
Ingredients
2 lb. chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite size pieces;( if using thighs, add 1 Smart Point)
10 T. crumbled bacon (I use Costco Kirkland Brand )
Add onions and garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes. Turn off Instant Pot.
Add chicken broth, ranch dressing mix and rosemary.
Add chicken and bacon crumbles. Stir.
Place low fat cream cheese chunks on top of chicken mixture. Do not stir! If the cream cheese ends up on the bottom of the Instant Pot, you may get the “burn,” message. If you do for some reason, open it back up and add 1/4 c. more chicken broth.
Press manual and pressure cook (with vent sealed) on high for 8 min. Allow to natural release for 5 min, then release pressure.
Add cheddar cheese, sherry and green onions. Stir well. Serve over cauliflower rice/rice and garnish with a little more green onions.
Notes
The sauce is thin when it’s hot but will thicken up as it cools. If you want it thicker, you can always mix 1 T. cornstarch in a small bowl, add a few tablespoons of the sauce. Stir well, then pour mixture back into Instant Pot and cook for a few minutes until thickened.
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