Easy Pepper Jack Crack Chicken is a creamy, savory, and irresistibly delicious dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or even as a party appetizer. This dish features tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, cheesy sauce made with cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and plenty of spicy pepper jack cheese. It’s creamy, flavorful, and packs a nice kick—hence the “crack” in the name, because it’s so addictive! Serve it over rice, with vegetables, or even on buns for a complete meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Easy Pepper Jack Crack Chicken is loaded with flavor and super easy to make. With minimal ingredients and prep time, you can have a rich and satisfying meal ready in no time. The creaminess from the cream cheese and ranch seasoning pairs perfectly with the heat from the pepper jack cheese, creating a balanced and comforting dish. Whether you’re making it for dinner, meal prep, or a potluck, this dish will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup ranch seasoning mix (or homemade ranch seasoning)
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded (plus extra for topping)
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for cooking the chicken)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C). Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning mix to the skillet, stirring until the cream cheese has melted and the sauce becomes smooth. Add the shredded pepper jack cheese and continue to stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning some of the creamy sauce over the top. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for about 5 minutes, ensuring it’s heated through and coated with the cheesy ranch mixture.
- Serve: Garnish with additional shredded pepper jack cheese and chopped green onions (if using). Serve the pepper jack crack chicken over rice, mashed potatoes, or with a side of vegetables.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes 4 servings.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Add Beef: For an extra layer of flavor, stir in some cooked crumbled beef into the sauce or sprinkle it on top before serving.
- Spicy Crack Chicken: Increase the heat by adding chopped jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture.
- Low-Carb Version: Serve this dish over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative.
- Add Veggies: Stir in some spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to make the dish heartier and add extra veggies.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Leftover crack chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: This dish can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen up the sauce if needed.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs work perfectly in this recipe and will add extra moisture and flavor. Just make sure to cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
2. Can I make this recipe in the slow cooker?
Yes! For a slow cooker version, place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker and top with the ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and pepper jack cheese. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Shred the chicken and stir to coat in the sauce before serving.
3. Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can swap the pepper jack cheese for other cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby cheese if you prefer a milder flavor.
4. How can I make the sauce richer?
For a richer sauce, you can add a bit of heavy cream or cream cheese to the mixture. This will make the sauce creamier and more indulgent.
5. Can I make this dish dairy-free?
To make this dish dairy-free, you can substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and use a dairy-free cheese like vegan mozzarella or cheddar. You could also make a dairy-free ranch seasoning mix.
6. How can I adjust the spice level?
If you prefer a milder version, use a mild cheese like mozzarella or a mild ranch dressing mix, and skip the spicy additions. For extra heat, add more pepper jack cheese, hot sauce, or diced jalapeños.
7. Can I serve this with anything else?
This dish pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or even a side of sautéed vegetables like green beans or broccoli. You could also serve it with a crisp salad for a balanced meal.
8. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can easily double the recipe if you’re serving a larger group. Just use a larger skillet or cook the chicken in batches.
9. Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the cream cheese sauce and cook the chicken ahead of time. Just store them separately in the refrigerator and combine them when you’re ready to serve.
10. How can I make this dish less rich?
For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and skip the butter or use olive oil instead. You can also reduce the amount of cheese used in the sauce.
Conclusion
Easy Pepper Jack Crack Chicken is a flavorful and indulgent dish that combines creamy cheese, zesty ranch seasoning, and tender chicken for a meal that’s both satisfying and simple to make. The richness of the sauce and the spiciness of the pepper jack cheese make this dish incredibly delicious and comforting. Whether you serve it over rice, pasta, or veggies, it’s sure to become a family favorite!
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Easy Pepper Jack Crack Chicken
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Easy Pepper Jack Crack Chicken is a creamy, savory dish made with tender chicken breasts cooked in a cheesy, creamy garlic sauce, featuring pepper jack cheese and ranch seasoning. This dish is indulgent, flavorful, and easy to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner, meal prep, or as a party appetizer.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup ranch seasoning mix (or homemade ranch seasoning)
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded (plus extra for topping)
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for cooking the chicken)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to low. Add softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning mix, stirring until smooth. Add shredded pepper jack cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over the top. Simmer for 5 minutes, ensuring chicken is heated through and coated with sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with extra shredded pepper jack cheese and green onions (if using). Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or with a side of vegetables.
Notes
- Add beef for extra flavor by stirring in crumbled cooked beef into the sauce or sprinkling it on top before serving.
- Increase the spice level with chopped jalapeños or hot sauce in the sauce mixture.
- For a low-carb version, serve the chicken over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
- For extra richness, you can add heavy cream to the sauce for a creamier texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: undefined
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 105mg