Crack Chicken Sandwiches are the definition of comfort food. Ranch, cheese, bacon, and tender chicken piled between two soft buns.
A Simple Chicken Sandwich Recipe
What I love about this shredded chicken sandwich recipe is that you can cook your chicken how you want to, or even use a rotisserie chicken to keep things even easier. You’ll see how I make it different ways so that way you can decide which way is easiest for you. Soon, you’ll be making this comforting recipe at least once a week. Serve it with chips or veggie sticks for an incredibly easy meal.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Shredded chicken seasoned with seasoned salt, then mixed with cheeses, ranch seasoning, and bacon. It’s delicious served on hamburger buns.
Potato chips, fries, tater tots, or red potato salad are great side dishes for chicken sandwiches. For a more vintage side dish, this macaroni and tomatoes recipe puts a summer spin on the meal too.
A slice of onion, more cheese or slices of bacon can be added to each sandwich to make it a really hearty sandwich.
Yes. Using leftover turkey from Thanksgiving to make these chicken sandwiches is a great way to use it up.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for 3 days. Freezing leftovers isn’t recommended as the texture of the cream cheese can change during the process.
Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs will also work in this recipe instead of chicken breasts.
Ingredients Needed: (See recipe card below for the full recipe)
- chicken – I use boneless chicken breasts and the cooking method is up to you, and I’ve given ideas below of how to cook chicken. Or, you can use rotisserie chicken or cook shredded chicken in the crock pot. If using rotisserie chicken, simply season the shredded chicken with the seasonings.
- seasoned salt – Lawry’s seasoned salt is my favorite brand to use but you can use your favorite.
- chicken broth – can use low sodium if necessary. You may choose to omit the chicken broth if cooking the chicken on the grill, in the oven, or in the air fryer. However, using a little chicken broth to help add moisture to the crack chicken mixture later may be necessary.
- dry ranch seasoning mix – I use the packets that are used to make homemade dressing. Just the seasoning is needed, don’t make the dressing with it in this recipe.
- cream cheese – set this out ahead of time so it reaches room temperature for easier melting.
- bacon – buying the cheaper bacon will work for this recipe since it’s cooked and then crumbled.
- sharp cheddar cheese – shredded cheese works best for easier melting, and shredded your own cheese is recommended over store-bought shredded although that’s a great option for a faster meal.
- chopped green onions – these are optional but add a great flavor boost.
How to Make Crack Chicken Sandwiches
If baking, grilling, or air frying: Season the chicken with seasoned salt. Cook chicken at 375° F for 20-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Chicken broth is required when making with the crock pot or Instant Pot but not necessary when grilling, baking or air frying. However you can use a little of the chicken broth and the ranch seasoning when mixing the cream cheese in later to add more moisture and flavor.
If using the Instant Pot or Crock Pot: Season the chicken with the Lawry’s seasoning salt and set it aside. Pour the chicken broth and ranch seasoning mix in the pot and toss the chicken to coat. Cook in Instant Pot on manual HIGH pressure for 14 minutes. When it stops, do a quick release for the remaining pressure. For the crock pot, cook for 7 hours on LOW.
If boiling chicken breasts: See how long to boil chicken breasts, and boil chicken without seasonings for this chicken sandwich recipe. You’ll want the seasonings to flavor the chicken and not get lost in the water for boiling.
Shred the chicken with 2 forks; Add the cream cheese (a little chicken broth if you grilled, baked or air fried your chicken) and bacon; and then stir.
Add the cheddar cheese and stir to combine.
Top with green onions, if desired
Recipe Tips
- Cooking the Cream Cheese: You can cook the chicken with cream cheese if you prefer. If not, the hot chicken should melt the cream cheese when mixing. If the chicken has cooled off before mixing in the cream cheese, carefully warm the chicken back up to melt the cream cheese.
- Shredding the Chicken: If your chicken does not shred easily with two forks, cook the chicken a few minutes longer, as cooked chicken should be easy to shred.
Craving More Recipes?
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwiches (similar but this recipe uses mustard and sour cream for a flavor spin.)
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
- Crispy Chicken Burgers
- Shredded Caesar Chicken Sandwiches
- Chicken Club Sandwiches
- Chicken Caprese Sandwiches
- Fried Chicken Sliders
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Bites
Recipe
Crack Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 3 large boneless chicken breast
- ½ tablespoon seasoned salt
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 ounce packet dry ranch seasoning mix
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 4 slices cooked bacon crumbled
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions chopped
- hamburger buns
Instructions
Baking, Grilling or Air Frying Chicken
- Season the chicken with the seasoned salt and cook in the oven, air fryer or on the grill, until cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Shred the chicken with 2 forks; Add the cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, chicken broth if necessary to add moisture and the cooked bacon; and then stir. Add the cheddar cheese and stir to combine.Top with green onions, if desired
Cooking Chicken Breasts in Instant Pot or Crock Pot
- Season the chicken with the Lawry’s seasoning salt; set aside.Pour the chicken broth in the pot, sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix on top, and stir well; add the chicken breasts, turning over to coat with the liquid.
- Instant Pot: Cook on Manual HIGH pressure for 14 minutes. When it stops, do a quick release for the remaining pressure.Crock Pot: Cook chicken on low for 7 hours.Shred the chicken with 2 forks; Add the cream cheese and bacon; stir. Add the cheddar cheese and stir to combine.Top with green onions, if desired
Crack Chicken Sandwich Assembly
- Pile shredded chicken on to hamburger buns and top with your other favorite toppings if desired. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Comments
No Comments