Instant Pot Crack Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 slices thick cut bacon, diced
• 1 large sweet onion diced
• 3 chopped cloves of garlic

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1 teaspoon dried chives
• salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth

• chopped fresh parsley
• sliced green scallions

Instructions

1. Press the "Sauté" button on the Instant Pot and wait for it to heat up.
2. Add the diced bacon and cook for a minute or two, add onion then cook to  to a desired crispness. Add garlic for last minute. Remove from the Instant Pot, set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot.
4. Season chicken with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Once olive oil is hot, add the chicken breasts and brown on both sides; about 2 minutes per side.
6. In the meantime, place cream cheese in a mixing bowl and season with garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill weed, dried chives, salt and pepper; mix to combine.
7. On the Instant Pot press "Cancel" to stop sautéing.
8. Add cream cheese mixture to the Instant Pot.
9. Pour in the chicken broth.
10. Turn the pot on Manual High Pressure for 12 minutes; then do a quick release.
11. Remove lid and transfer chicken to a cutting board to shred it.
12. Stir the shredded chicken back into the Instant Pot; place the lid back on the Instant Pot (powered off) and let stand for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce.
13. Top with previously prepared bacon, fresh parsley, and scallions.
14. Serve.

    
    

    • IF the sauce is too thick, stir in a bit of water.
    • IF the sauce is too thin, make a slurry with cornstarch and a little cold water; mix until smooth. Stir the mixture into the hot liquid until it’s blended.

WHAT DO YOU EAT CRACK CHICKEN WITH?

Crack chicken is basically a chicken filling meant to be used in sandwiches, or for an entree salad ... but would also be good for lettuce wraps, in tortillas, make nachos or just have chips, eating it as a dip ... be creative!

SLOW COOKER CRACK CHICKEN

Add the chicken, cream cheese, AND ranch seasoning to a slow cooker; cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. OR, until chicken shreds easily. Once shredded, toss it back in the slow cooker and stir. Add in crumbled bacon and serve.

HOW TO FREEZE CRACK CHICKEN

Let chicken cool down completely; then transfer to a large freezer bag or airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to serve, remove from freezer the night before and let thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat and serve.