October 25, 2023
Review RecipeBaked Crack Chicken
Table of Contents
This irresistible baked crack chicken is delicious! Melty cheese, bacon, and creamy sauce make these tender chicken breasts over-the-top delicious.
Baked Crack Chicken Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 4 (6-8 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 cup of chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
- ½ cup of canned cream of chicken soup
- 6 ounces of cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning mix (from a packet of dry ranch seasoning mix)
- ¼ cup of sour cream
- 1½ cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided into ½ cup and 1 cup
- ¾ cup of cooked chopped bacon, divided into ½ cup and ¼ cup
- 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons of chopped green onion, optional garnish
PRO TIP:
Be sure NOT to use the pre-shredded cheeses. They have additives added in the bags to prevent clumping, and they do not melt as well as a block of cheese that you shred yourself.
Substitutions And Additions
CHEESE: Colby Jack cheese is a great alternative to the Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese combo. Also, using all cheddar cheese tastes great too in this easy recipe.
CHICKEN: You could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs in this crack chicken bake if your family prefers dark meat.
BACON: You can use regular or thick-cut bacon in this great recipe.
How To Make This Baked Crack Chicken Recipe
STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray.
STEP TWO: Place chicken breasts in an even layer on the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the salt and pepper on top of your chicken breasts. Set aside.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
If your chicken pieces are not a uniform size, that is ok; just cut them into even-sized pieces. You want your chicken pieces as evenly sized as possible so that they cook evenly when baked.
STEP TWO: In a medium skillet, saute your onion and garlic on medium heat just until it is translucent and beginning to soften. This will take 2 to 3 minutes.
STEP THREE: Once your onions and garlic are cooked, add your cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, and dry ranch dressing mix. Stir them until the cream cheese is melted and all the ingredients are completely incorporated.
STEP FOUR: Turn off the heat to your skillet and add your sour cream and ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.
STEP FIVE: Divide your cream cheese mixture evenly and top each chicken breast. Spread out the cream cheese mixture so that your chicken breasts are completely covered. Top your cream cheese-covered chicken with ½ cup of your cooked and chopped bacon pieces.
STEP SIX: With your remaining cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, evenly cover your chicken breast.
STEP SEVEN: Cover your dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
STEP EIGHT: Remove your aluminum foil and sprinkle the cheesy chicken breasts with the remaining ¼ cup of cooked and chopped bacon bits. Continue to bake for another 20 minutes, uncovered, or until your chicken is cooked through (160°F internal temperature) and your cheese is melted and bubbly.
STEP NINE: Allow your baked crack chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
PRO TIP:
At this point, you can add your chopped green onions for garnish on top of your baked crack chicken casserole if desired.
How To Serve
This baked ranch chicken would make a great dinner with a side of steamed vegetables or green beans and a baked potato. Everyone will love the creamy, rich texture of this ultimate dish.
If you can’t get enough of this tasty, creamy combo of simple ingredients from this delicious dish, check out our slow cooker crack chicken recipe. Our chicken bacon ranch casserole is another family favorite.
MORE CHICKEN RECIPES
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: This chicken dish is best served hot from the oven so that it stays all gooey and melty. You can store leftover chicken in a covered container or covered in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
IN THE FREEZER: Store your cooled crack chicken in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
These baked crack chicken breasts are made with simple ingredients that combine to create an incredibly delicious dinner. The whole family will be begging for this meal once they get a taste of how rich and tasty it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
This creamy dish would taste delicious with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs if your family prefers dark meat.
This creamy chicken casserole is a fantastic make-ahead meal. Prepare and assemble it in the casserole dish and put it in the fridge until you are ready to bake it.
This dish can be frozen for up to three months. Make sure to thaw completely before heating it up.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Chicken Parmesan
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- Crack Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Ultimate Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Casserole
- Italian Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
- Chicken Roll-Ups
- Oven Baked Chicken
- Crack Dip
- Crack Chicken Chili
- Crockpot Crack Chicken and Rice
- Doritos Cheesy Chicken Casserole
- King Ranch Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Chicken Fajita Casserole
- Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
- Shake and Bake Chicken
- Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
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- Biscuit Pizza Bake
- Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups
- Beer Marinade for Chicken
- Baked Chicken Thighs
- Fireball Chicken
- Kung Pao Chicken
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Baked Crack Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless (6 to 8 ounces)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- ½ cup cream of chicken soup
- 6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, from the packet of dry seasoning mix
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided into ½ cup and 1 cup
- ¾ cup bacon, cooked and chopped and divided into ½ cup and ¼ cup
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons green onion, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Place your chicken breast in an even layer on the bottom of your prepared dish. Evenly sprinkle the salt and pepper on top of your chicken breast. Set aside.
- In a medium skillet, saute your onion and garlic on medium heat just until it is translucent and beginning to soften. This will take 2 and 3 minutes.
- Once your onions and garlic are cooked, add your cream of chicken soup, cream cheese and dry ranch seasoning mix. Stir them until the cream cheese is melted and all the ingredients are completely incorporated.
- Turn off the heat to your skillet and add your sour cream and ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Divide your cream cheese mixture evenly and top each chicken breast. Spread out the cream cheese mixture so that your chicken breasts are completely covered. Top your cream cheese-covered chicken with ½ cup of your cooked and chopped bacon pieces.
- With your remaining cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, evenly cover your chicken breast.
- Cover your dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove your aluminum foil and sprinkle the cheesy chicken breasts with the remaining ¼ cup of cooked and chopped bacon. Continue to bake for another 20 minutes, uncovered, or until your chicken is cooked through (160°F internal temperature) and your cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Allow your baked crack chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with copped green onions if desired
Notes
- Be sure NOT to use the pre-shredded cheeses. They have additives added in the bags to prevent clumping, and they do not melt as well as a block of cheese that you shred yourself.
- If your chicken pieces are not a uniform size, that is ok; just cut them into even-sized pieces. You want your chicken pieces as evenly sized as possible so that they cook evenly when baked.
- At this point, you can add your chopped green onions for garnish on top of your baked crack chicken casserole if desired.
Comments
Jamie Mebane says
I would add some jalapenos for a bit of a bite. Yes I would make it spicy. Yes I would add some extra veggies. I would use Some Pepper Jack and mix shredded cheese.
Karen says
I think this would taste great with crushed Ritz crackers drizzled with melted butter baked on the top!
Glen says
extra “hidden” vegies always helps with the kids.
Lynn Boudreau says
This recipe was a hit with my husband. He gobbled up 2 pieces. He was happy to get some for lunch the next day. Next time I make this recipe, I will add some thawed kernel corn. I think brocoli would be good also. This recipe is definitely ร keeper.
Beckie Killian says
This sounds amazing!! I don’t think that I would change a thing. Although I usually use ground garlic, rather than cloves, since I do not use much garlic in my recipes. I find it easier to us the ground garlic, or the garlic in the jar. I will have to make this for my family.
Sue Cavallaro says
We used pepper jack cheese instead of Monterey and it was fabulous
Sally Ramirez says
I would add some Chipotle and heavy cream to the sauce and serve the chicken over spaghetti.
Lorraine Luzzo says
I love to cook and this recipe sounds delicious …all ingredients
are great..can’t go wrong!
Spicy great…toasted buttered
bread crumbs terrific
..