This keto crack chicken recipe is bursting with flavor. Tender and juicy chicken with crumbles of bacon, and, of course, cream cheese and mozzarella for that cheesy twist to the crack chicken. This incredible keto chicken recipe is also low carb, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
Chicken is one protein we often eat in our home. It is so versatile that you can transform it into so many recipes. Right now, Crack Chicken is what my family is asking for the most when they see chicken tenderloin or chicken breast packages in the fridge.
I've been wanting to make my own version into a casserole for years. I've seen a lot of crack dips but casseroles are more my thing. My kids love any kind of cheesy, creamy casserole especially if it has bacon in it.
What is Crack Chicken?
It is a concoction of creamy chicken with ranch and bacon. The sort of keto chicken recipe I love to share here on Joy Filled Eats!
Why is it called Crack Chicken? It is addictive and highly tasty, so everyone says they can’t resist the cheesy chicken. I did not invent the name for it. I just make my own version of a popular recipe.
Ingredients
Chicken Tenderloins - Chicken tenderloins, also known as chicken fingers, are produced by cutting the narrow strip of meat on the inside of an uncooked chicken breast so that it is easier to cook.
Cream Cheese - I use full-fat cream cheese.
Mozzarella Cheese - Shredded mozzarella is great in this keto chicken recipe.
Scallions - Scallions (also known as green onions) are a type of onion that has a white or light green base.
Bacon Crumbles - Bacon Crumbles are small pieces of bacon that have been fried or oven-baked. They are often used on top of salads or side dishes, or as a garnish to other dishes.
Garlic Powder - Garlic powder is a dried and ground version of garlic, and is used as a seasoning.
Onion Powder - Onion powder is simply dehydrated, ground onion. Onion powder provides a way for one to obtain the flavor of onion without having to use an unpeeled fresh onion.
Dried Dill - Dill weed is often used in cooking and seasoning dishes because it has a very strong and distinctive flavor. It is a signature flavor in ranch dressing.
How To Make Keto Crack Chicken
Step One: Start by heating the oven. Then spray a casserole with cooking spray. Lay down your chicken tenders into the dish and then set aside.
Step Two: In a bowl mix together the softened cream cheese, half the mozzarella, half the bacon, half the green onions, and all the seasonings.
Step Three: Mix until well blended then spread the mixture all over the chicken.
Step Four: Sprinkle on the leftover bacon and cheese, top with remaining scallions, and bake! Drain any cooking liquid before serving.
Variations
Cheese: Feel free to use whatever cheese you have or fits your liking. We have used mozzarella cheese, pepper jack cheese, mild cheddar cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, and parmesan cheese depending on what I have in the fridge. They have all have worked great.
Sauce: For a thinner sauce mix a little heavy cream, chicken stock, vegetable broth, mayonnaise, sour cream, or even marinara sauce into the cream cheese. In most of my casseroles, I use a combination of mayo, cream cheese, and sour cream. I really like the flavor of the cream cheese on its own in this one but you can tweak the sauce to your palate.
Vegetables: If you'd like to add a veggie to this keto chicken recipe spinach, broccoli, or cauliflower are my top choices.
Common Questions
How Long do I Cook Chicken in the Oven?
The rule of thumb is to allow your chicken to reach the proper internal temperature of 160 degrees. This will take around 30-35 minutes.
Do You Shred the Chicken?
Most recipes for keto crack chicken you see do offer a shredded chicken. I kept my chicken in tenders and then piled on toppings and baked. I loved the method of serving up small chicken tenders.
If you prefer shredded, precook chicken, shred and then place in the bottom of the pan and then add on the toppings.
Is Crack Chicken Keto?
This crack chicken recipe is a low carb keto-friendly recipe. Just remember how you serve it is important because you don’t want heavy carb sides.
How to Store Leftover Keto Crack Chicken
Store any leftovers you may have in the fridge. I place ours in an airtight container, and it will keep up to three days. Use your best judgment on how long the chicken is good for, as you don’t want to get sick from leftovers.
Best Way to Reheat Casseroles
I like to warm my leftovers up in the oven, but the microwave works too. If you do oven just place chicken in a pan and cover with aluminum foil. Toss in at 350 degrees and heat until it is warmed through. Remove foil and serve!
For the microwave, don’t overcook it as it will pop and splatter and make a mess if you have a shield for your microwave cover the dish before heating.
Can You Freeze Crack Chicken?
The cream cheese will separate a bit when you go to thaw this from the freezer, but it will still taste good. If you don’t mind a slight change in texture, you could quickly freeze any leftovers you don’t plan to eat right away.
Just place in a freezer container or sealable freezer bag and store for up to three months. Allow the chicken to thaw in the fridge the night before you plan to serve it up.
You can easily make single serve portions of this keto chicken recipe when freezing it so that it makes for a quick single serve lunch or dinner.
What to Serve With Keto Chicken Recipes
There are so many ways to enjoy this keto chicken recipe. Eat your chicken on a plate with favorite sides, top a hamburger or slider bun for a sandwich, are two popular methods. You could even top zucchini or pasta with the chicken or use it as a dip for entertaining!
- Salad
- Roasted broccoli or cauliflower
- Steamed or oven-roasted green beans
- Zucchini Noodles or cauliflower rice
- Serve in lettuce wraps
- Keto Mashed Cauliflower
Any side you feel sounds good is worth trying! Depending on what we have on hand will decide what sides I use for dinner.
Check Out More Chicken Casserole Recipes
This is such a simple and easy keto chicken recipe! You all know I love outstanding flavors that work, but also are easy for you in the kitchen. Minimal prep, a little bake time, and one exceptional keto chicken dinner recipe will be waiting for you! Afterward, make sure to try my other chicken casseroles:
- Chicken Divan Casserole
- Keto Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Chicken Fajita Casserole
- Tuscan Chicken Casserole
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Keto Crack Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs raw chicken tenders
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese
- 2 scallions finely sliced
- 1 cup bacon crumbles
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400. Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Put the chicken tenders in the prepared baking dish.
- Mix together the cream cheese, half the mozzarella, half the scallions, half the bacon, and the seasonings. Spread on top of the chicken. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese, scallions, and bacon.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the chicken is 160 degrees. Carefully drain any cooking liquid before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published June 17, 2019. Revised and Republished January 21, 2022.
Ellie says
Really flavorful. I threw some mushroom on top too, because I love mushroom and needed to use it. Tasted great!
Lynn says
sooo good. will be on my regular menu rotation..
Laurie says
I started Keto 11 days ago and this recipe was my absolute favorite so far😋 Thank you.
Brandy says
I have made this recipe time and time again and it is always a hit in my house! It is such a delicious meal!
Shadi says
I Just tried this recipe and my family loved it. It was so easy and the flavors were fantastic.
Thomas says
Followed the recipe to the T. And absolute let horrendous amount of water was released during cooking. Cut into it and it was practically soup.
Taryn says
Hi Thomas, any chance you used frozen chicken tenders? Fresh chicken tenders do not normally release that much liquid. I'm very surprised to hear it was soupy.
Barb says
Too salty.
Taryn says
Hi Barb, this only has 1/2 teaspoon of added salt to 2 pounds of chicken. The saltiness is primarily from the cheese and bacon. You can omit the added salt and use low-sodium cheese and bacon if you prefer.
Maria says
Simply delicious, simply easy! My very first Keto meal. Going to make it in 2 weeks for my family on vacation.
Sue says
How much cream was used? And where is the video found? 🙂
Taryn says
The measurements are in the recipe card. The video appears under the first photo, unless you have a pop-up blocker. You can also see it on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CgR1yfNtTA5/
Trina Walsh says
The recipe says cream, and then mentions the cream cheeee. I also was confused on if cream was needed. Step 2 of “how to make…” says cream, then cream cheese.
Taryn says
The recipe in the recipe card is correct. You don't need cream. I'll fix that typo asap.
KIMBERLY says
Made this Tonight for dinner didn't have dill so I used dried rosemary paired with steamed broccoli
Stephanie Roberts says
Very good. I think it'll become a favorite dinner for my family.
Glenda says
Chicken, cheese and bacon. What's not to love? Of course this was a hit around our dinner table. The touch of dill was a nice addition. We loved the recipe! Thank you!
Wendy says
Easy and delicious! This is a keeper.
Melissa says
We just started our Keto diet this week and I'm so happy I found this recipe so early in our journey. It is not only extremely delicious, it is easy! It's definitely been added to our meal rotation!
Piper says
One of the best keto recipes I’ve found in this last year of eating keto and controlling my diabetes. This is absolutely delicious and the rest of my family could not possibly feel cheated!
Rita says
Delicious! Thanks for this easy to prepare recipe! A new favorite!
Allyssa says
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
Ezmarelda says
CONFUSED, RECIPE SAYS "Mix together the cream cheese, half the mozzarella, half the scallions, half the bacon, and the seasonings. Spread on top of the chicken.
Sprinkle on the remaining cheese, scallions, and bacon." - Should that read: put ALL ON TOP OF THE CHICKEN?
Taryn says
You might find it helpful to watch the video. Once you spread the cream cheese mixture on the chicken you top it with the rest of the toppings.
Jordan says
Is the nutrition information above per serving?
Taryn says
Yes
Leesa says
This sounds delicious!! I don’t habit scallions on hand. Could I use diced onions instead?
Taryn says
Sure!