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Instant Pot Crack Chicken

Instant Pot Crack Chicken combines the perfect 'crack chicken' combination of ranch + cheese + bacon made really easy in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker! Crack chicken is an easy dinner idea & delicious served as sandwiches or over rice.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword crack chicken in the instant pot, instant pot crack chicken
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 19 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 322kcal
Author Jessica - Together as Family

Ingredients

  • 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • teaspoons seasoning salt
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 8 ounces cream cheese very softened
  • 1/2 cup cooked & chopped bacon
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I use medium cheddar cheese)

Instructions

  • Season both sides of each chicken breast with seasoning salt. Set aside.
  • Spray the insert of the Instant Pot with cooking spray. Pour the chicken broth inside and then sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix over top. Use a whisk to mix it together.
  • Add the seasoned chicken breasts into the broth and turn to coat both sides of the chicken with the broth mixture.
  • Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and make sure the valve is in the 'sealing' position. Cook on HIGH pressure for 14 minutes.
    * My instant pot has a 'manual' where I manually set the cook time to 14 minutes. Instant Pots vary slightly in the buttons so make sure you have the correct cook time and pressure level.
  • When the cook time is done do a quick release. This means turn the valve to the 'venting' position and allow all the pressure to release before removing the lid.
  • Use two forks to shred the chicken breasts. Add the softened cream cheese and chopped bacon pieces. Stir well to combine everything together.
    * The cream cheese should be well softened so it mixes in easily and smoothly. I put the unwrapped bar into the microwave for about 40 seconds to ensure that it is well softened and slightly warm before I add it into the chicken.
  • Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Serve inside hamburger buns, rolls, or slider buns. You can also serve it over cooked white rice, pasta, or egg noodles. Garnish with sliced green onions if wanted.

Notes

My Tips : I used a 6 QT Instant Pot for this recipe. 
To ensure that the cream cheese easily mixes in smoothly with the chicken make sure it is well softened before adding it. I like to place the unwrapped cream cheese bar into the microwave, on a microwave-safe plate, and cook for about 45 seconds to ensure that it is well softened.
I recommend using full-fat cream cheese and shredding the cheddar cheese from a block rather than using pre shredded cheese. 
I prefer using medium cheddar cheese but you can also use mild cheddar cheese or sharp cheddar cheese, or even extra sharp cheddar. 
Chicken : I prefer trimming the chicken breast pieces of any extra fatty pieces before I use them. If the chicken breast pieces are smaller then use 4 of them. To ensure that the chicken cooks in the cook time and shreds easily, I like to cut the larger chicken pieces in half. 
Bacon : 1/2 cup of chopped bacon pieces is equal to about 4-5 bacon slices. Cook them in the oven, air fryer, fry pan or whatever way you prefer. You can also use bacon bits or use microwaveable bacon that you cook and chop. 

Nutrition

Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 1630mg | Potassium: 279mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 714IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 0.3mg