Description
Delicious crack chicken chili promises a flavor explosion that combines creamy, spicy elements from Southern cooking. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, delivering comfort in each satisfying spoonful you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 (8 oz) (226 g) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) (425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- 1 can (10 oz) (283 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 oz) (28 g)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Layering: Arrange chicken breasts, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, onions, and bell peppers in the slow cooker to create a flavor-packed foundation.
- Seasoning: Dust the mixture with garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, ensuring an even distribution of spices for a complex taste profile.
- Slow Cooking: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, allowing ingredients to tenderize and infuse with rich, harmonious flavors.
- Shredding and Integrating: Extract chicken, meticulously shred with two forks, then reincorporate into the bubbling liquid, ensuring every morsel is coated with the aromatic sauce.
- Enriching: Melt cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon into the chili, stirring gently to create a luxurious, creamy consistency that elevates the dish’s depth.
- Finalizing: Simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes, letting the flavors meld and intensify, resulting in a decadent, velvety texture.
- Serving: Plate the chili, adorning with optional garnishes like crispy bacon bits, green onions, or parsley, and accompany with a dollop of sour cream or extra cheese for those craving indulgence.
Notes
- Customize Heat Levels: Adjust chili and paprika quantities to control spiciness, ensuring the dish matches individual heat preferences without overwhelming flavors.
- Prevent Chicken Dryness: Cook on low temperature to maintain chicken’s moisture and tenderness, avoiding overcooking that can result in tough, stringy meat.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheese during final 15-20 minutes of cooking to achieve smooth, creamy consistency without causing separation or graininess.
- Dietary Modifications: Substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt for lower-fat version, use turkey bacon for leaner protein, or replace dairy cheese with vegan alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (Slow Cooker) / 30 minutes (Instant Pot)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 840 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg