Dinner

Crack Chicken Recipe

Byreem everly October 26, 2025October 26, 2025

Introduction

Crack Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a creamy cheese mixture, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar. This comforting recipe is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

In a white oval baking dish, there are three large pieces of chicken covered with melted golden-orange cheddar cheese. Each piece is also topped with small pieces of pinkish cooked ham and green chopped scallions, with some fresh green parsley sprinkled over. The chicken beneath is juicy with some white creamy sauce visible, and the dish is resting on a white marbled surface. The edges of the baking dish show some baked-on cheese and sauce marks, adding a rustic feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 slices thick cut bacon (diced)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (total 1 pound, pounded to ¼-inch thickness)
Salt and fresh ground pepper (to taste)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon dried dill weed
½ teaspoon dried chives
4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (white or yellow, or a mix)
Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Sliced green scallions (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400˚F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set it aside.
Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
Step 3: Add the vegetable oil to the bacon fat in the skillet and heat until shimmering.
Step 4: Pound the chicken breasts to ¼- to ½-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Step 5: Place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet (cook in batches if needed) and cook for 2 to 3 minutes without moving them, until the bottoms are golden brown.
Step 6: Flip the chicken breasts over, add the butter to the skillet, and cook for another 2 minutes until browned on the other side.
Step 7: Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and arrange them in the prepared baking dish.
Step 8: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, dried dill weed, and dried chives. Mix well and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 9: Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly over each chicken breast.
Step 10: Sprinkle half of the cooked diced bacon evenly over the cream cheese on the chicken.
Step 11: Top each chicken breast with shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 12: Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Step 13: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and sliced green scallions before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika.
Swap the cheddar cheese with mozzarella or pepper jack for a different twist.
Use a meat mallet to pound chicken evenly and ensure quick, uniform cooking.
Leftover Crack Chicken makes a great filling for sandwiches or wraps.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350˚F until heated through or microwave on medium power to avoid drying out the chicken.

How to Serve

The dish shows two thick, layered cheesy chicken breasts in a white oval dish on a white marbled surface. Each chicken breast has three visible layers: a golden-brown cooked chicken base, a middle layer of melted light yellow cheese mixed with bits of creamy sauce, and a top layer piled with bright orange melted cheese, red chopped bell peppers, green chopped jalapeños, and small green herbs sprinkled across. The cheese looks melted and gooey, and some pieces are slightly browned from baking. A silver spoon is lifting one of the chicken breasts, showing the creamy inside with sauce streaks on the dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used. They are juicier but may require slightly longer cooking time to ensure they are cooked through.

Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely. This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free seasoning and cheese. Always check labels if you have a gluten sensitivity.

reem everly