Description
Pepper jack crack chicken brings together creamy, spicy flavors in a simple one-pot meal. Hearty protein and melted cheese create a satisfying dish familiar to home cooks across North America. You will devour this quick comfort classic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml) Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (120 ml) bacon, cooked, crumbled
- 1 oz (28 g) ranch seasoning mix
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional, for spice)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Arrange chicken breasts in the slow cooker basin, spreading them evenly without overlapping to ensure uniform cooking.
- Seasoning Process: Lavishly coat the chicken with a harmonious blend of ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika, creating a deeply flavorful foundation.
- Moisture Infusion: Scatter cream cheese chunks across the chicken surface, allowing them to melt and transform into a luxurious, velvety sauce during the slow cooking process.
- Cooking Technique: Cover the slow cooker and select either LOW temperature for a gradual 6-7 hour tenderization or HIGH setting for a swift 3-4 hour cooking duration.
- Finishing and Serving: Expertly shred the cooked chicken within the cooker, thoroughly integrating it with the developed creamy sauce, then taste and fine-tune seasonings. Plate the chicken hot, potentially adorning with fresh herbs or an additional sprinkle of pepper jack cheese for enhanced flavor complexity and visual intrigue.
Notes
- Optimize Meat Texture: Use fresh, boneless chicken breasts at room temperature to ensure even cooking and prevent dryness. Slightly thicker cuts maintain moisture better during slow cooking.
- Prevent Sauce Separation: Position cream cheese chunks strategically across chicken to create consistent melting and prevent clumping. Softened cream cheese blends more smoothly into the sauce.
- Control Spice Intensity: Adjust ranch seasoning and pepper jack quantities based on personal heat preference. Start with less seasoning, then taste and incrementally add more for balanced flavor profile.
- Dietary Modification Options: Substitute regular cream cheese with low-fat or dairy-free alternatives for lighter versions. Replace chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or jackfruit for vegetarian adaptation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1020 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg