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Instant Pot Crack Chicken is a creamy shredded chicken recipe made with ranch seasoning, cream cheese, cheddar, and bacon. This easy dump-and-go dinner cooks in about 30 minutes and makes the perfect filling for sliders, wraps, baked potatoes, or pasta. It’s one of those simple family-tested meals that works for busy weeknights, potlucks, or meal prep.
Instant Pot Crack Chicken Snapshot
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: About 35 minutes
- Serves: 6–8
- Best Served As: Sliders, wraps, on pasta, or on baked potatoes
- Freezer Friendly: Yes
- Great For: Busy weeknights, meal prep, potlucks
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Crack Chicken
- Made with just a handful of simple ingredients
- Cooks quickly in the Instant Pot
- Creamy, cheesy, and full of ranch flavor
- Easy to stretch for a crowd
- Perfect for leftovers and freezer meals
- Family-approved and picky-eater friendly
This recipe is another hit for my family. It has everything your taste buds desire. Chicken, ranch and bacon. Its an explosion of flavor. I even bought this to a work potluck and it was a hit with the girls at my work. Simply and full of flavor.
-Dominque H
My entire family loves this Instant Pot Recipe! Make sure you have a good pressure cooker and you will be set. If you don’t have a pressure cooker yet, try making Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Recipe. It is delicious either way!
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts – You can also use boneless chicken thighs
- Cream Cheese – Softened and slice into small pieces
- Dry Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix – Use store bought packet or make Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe
- Chicken Broth – If you are out, see Chicken broth substitutes
- Bacon – Use already cooked or make Air Fryer Bacon
- Hamburger Buns or Sliders – Use what you prefer
You truly can make a wonderful meal with just a few simple ingredients! Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Make Instant Pot Crack Chicken
Step 1 – Place the chicken, chicken broth, ranch seasoning and bacon in a 6 quart instant pot. Add the lid. Set the valve to the seal position. Set the pressure for 25 minutes.
Step 2 – Do a quick release to release the pressure from the instant pot. Remove the lid and shred chicken with 2 forks.
Step 3 – Stir in the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Switch the instant pot the sauté setting and heat until the cheese has melted.
Step 4 – Top with the green onions and serve warm over the buns.
Instant Pot Cooking Time for Chicken
- Fresh chicken breasts: 25 minutes on High Pressure + quick release
- Boneless chicken thighs: 20–22 minutes on High Pressure
- Frozen chicken breasts: 35-40 minutes on High Pressure (make sure internal temperature reaches 165°F)
Always check that the chicken reaches 165°F before shredding.
Instant Pot Crack Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 8 oz cream cheese (diced)
- 1 dry ranch dressing seasoning mix (1 oz packet)
- 6 strips bacon (cooked crisply and crumbled)
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ¼ cup green onions (sliced)
- 6 buns
Instructions
- Place the chicken, chicken broth, ranch seasoning and bacon in a 6 quart instant pot.
- Add the lid. Set the valve to the seal position.
- Set the pressure for 25 minutes.
- Do a quick release to release the pressure from the instant pot. Remove the lid.
- Once finished shred the chicken with 2 forks and stir in the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Switch the instant pot the sauté setting and heat until the cheese has melted.
- Top with the green onions and serve warm over the buns.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Pro Tips for the Best Crack Chicken
- Don’t stir in the cream cheese before pressure cooking. Add it after shredding so it melts smoothly.
- Cut the cream cheese into cubes. This helps it melt faster and more evenly.
- Use the Sauté setting to thicken. If the mixture seems thin, let it simmer for 2–3 minutes after shredding to thicken the mixture.
- Shred with a hand mixer. It saves time and gives the chicken the perfect texture.
- Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. The sauce thickens as it rests.
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts to save money.
- Buy store-brand ranch seasoning or make homemade ranch mix.
- Use pre-cooked bacon pieces if they’re on sale.
- Serve over rice or baked potatoes to stretch the servings.
- Double the recipe and freeze half for another meal.
This is one of those meals that feels rich but can easily be made on a budget.
How to Serve Instant Pot Crack Chicken
This creamy chicken mixture is very versatile and easy to turn into a full meal.
- On hamburger buns or slider rolls – Perfect for an easy sandwich night.
- Over pasta – The creamy sauce melts right into the noodles.
- In tortillas or wraps – Great for quick lunches.
- On baked potatoes – A budget-friendly way to stretch the meal.
- Over rice – Makes it go further when feeding a crowd.
- As a casserole – Stir with cooked pasta, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly.
For busy nights, I usually serve it on buns with a simple side salad.
You can even serve with Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe, Classic Italian Pasta Salad Recipe, Easy Tropical Fruit Salad Recipe, and Corn on the Cob
Make Ahead and Meal Prep Tips
This recipe is perfect for meal prep.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Portion into individual containers for quick lunches.
- Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
It reheats well and tastes just as creamy the next day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crack chicken is a creamy shredded chicken recipe made with ranch seasoning, cream cheese, cheddar, and bacon. It’s often served on buns, in wraps, or over pasta.
Yes. Cook frozen chicken breasts for 35 minutes on High Pressure. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F before shredding.
The Instant Pot creates extra liquid during cooking. After shredding the chicken, turn on the Sauté setting for a few minutes to thicken the sauce.
Yes. The recipe is still creamy and flavorful without bacon, though the bacon adds extra flavor.
Store the leftover crack chicken mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Yes, you can freeze crack chicken in a freezer safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight when ready to serve.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave. You may need to a splash of milk to make creamy again.
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
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Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup
Quick and Easy Instant Pot
Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
We make this Instant Pot Crack Chicken often because it’s easy, affordable, and always a hit with our family. If you try it, leave a comment and let us know how you served it — sliders, pasta, or something different. We love hearing how you make it work for your family.
Just accidentally grabbed the wrong ranch and after I poured it in realized it was fiesta ranch. Fingers crossed ????
I think that will still work great in this recipe!
This recipe is another hit for my family. It has everything your taste buds desire. Chicken, ranch and bacon. Its an explosion of flavor. I even bought this to a work potluck and it was a hit with the girls at my work. Simply and full of flavor.
My family LOVE this recipe. They ask for it by name. ?
This is amazing!!!! Our family has decided this is one of their favorites, I make this at leas once a month
Can I use frozen chicken? If so, how long should I cook?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken. I would cook it on high pressure for 30 minutes with a quick release for this recipe. Thanks!
Can I use chicken leg quarters with this
I haven’t tried that yet in this recipe but I think it would work fine. Thank you!
Carrie, Another off the hook recipe. Kind of reminds me of pressed chicken but tweeked. Don’t have a instant pot do have a slow cooker love it to. Wondering if it will work with sliced potatoes I think it will will let you know . I LOVE TWEEKING IN THE KITCHEN.
Did you say cream cheese and bacon? My husband is gonna love this.
Scarlet – It’s really good. I hope you all enjoy it 🙂