Description
This Easy Pepper Jack Crack Chicken is an ultra-creamy, cheesy, and flavorful chicken dish made with tender shredded chicken breasts, cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, ranch seasoning, and smoky bacon. Made effortlessly in the slow cooker or on the stovetop, this crowd-pleaser delivers bold flavor without fuss, making it perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 oz)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional, for slow cooker)
Cheese & Cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
Bacon & Garnish
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled (about 6 slices)
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken (Slow Cooker): Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Pour in chicken broth if using, to keep the chicken moist during cooking.
- Add Cream Cheese: Dollop the softened cream cheese evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stirring to combine with the melted cream cheese and seasonings.
- Add Cheese & Bacon: Stir in the shredded pepper jack cheese and crumbled bacon, mixing until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined.
- Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve hot over rice, with bread, or as desired.
- Stovetop Method (Alternative): Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and browned. Remove and shred. In the same skillet, melt the cream cheese with ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Stir until smooth, then add shredded chicken, pepper jack cheese, and bacon. Mix until cheese is melted, garnish with green onions, and serve.
Notes
- If using thick chicken breasts, consider slicing them in half for quicker, more even cooking.
- For less heat, use Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese instead of pepper jack.
- This dish is delicious served over rice, pasta, baked potatoes, or as a sandwich filling.
- Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for a larger group.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (slow cooker) or 20 minutes (stovetop)
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 407
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 912mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 116mg
Keywords: crack chicken, pepper jack chicken, creamy chicken, slow cooker chicken, keto chicken recipe, shredded chicken, bacon, ranch chicken, easy dinner recipe
