Description
Pepper jack crack chicken delivers a spicy, creamy sensation that melts hearts and tantalizes taste buds. Comfort meets excitement in this simple dish that beckons you to savor each irresistible bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 block (8 ounces/227 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) cooked bacon, crumbled
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 packet (1 ounce/28 grams) ranch seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, for spice)
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chopped green onions (for garnish)
Serving Options:
- Cooked rice
- Pasta
- Mashed potatoes
- Lettuce wraps (for a low-carb option)
- Hamburger buns (for sandwiches)
Instructions
- Nestle chicken breasts into the slow cooker basin, ensuring they are evenly distributed and not overlapping.
- Generously dust the chicken with a blend of ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika, creating a flavorful coating that will infuse the meat with robust taste.
- Strategically dot the chicken surface with cream cheese chunks, allowing them to melt and create a rich, creamy sauce during cooking.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and set the temperature to LOW, allowing the chicken to gently simmer and tenderize over 6-7 hours, or alternatively use HIGH setting for a quicker 3-4 hour cooking time.
- Once cooking is complete, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the cooker, mixing it thoroughly with the developed creamy sauce and spices.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated and infused with the pepper jack and ranch flavors.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh chopped herbs or additional pepper jack cheese for extra zest and visual appeal.
Notes
- Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and easy shredding.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or spicy habanero jack for unique flavor profiles.
- For a healthier version, substitute full-fat cream cheese with low-fat or Greek yogurt cream cheese.
- Reduce sodium by using homemade ranch seasoning mix or choosing a low-sodium alternative to control salt content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg