This creamy, cheesy, EASY spicy Instant Pot crack chicken is low-carb and full-flavour. One of my favourite keto Instant Pot dinners! Ready in 30 minutes!
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Where are my Game of Thrones fans at!? You guys, only 1 week away until the Season 8 premiere! What we’ve been waiting for – it’s been SOOO long. I don’t even think I was pregnant with Hattie yet when Season 7 finished. So that seems like, forever.
I think I mentioned a while back that Etienne and I have been watching it from the beginning in preparation for the new season. We’ve only made it to Season 5 so far so I don’t think we’ll finish in time unless we blow off important work deadlines. Deadlines, schmedlines?! At least we’ve seen it before. I feel like I’m spending half of every episode this time going aaaaah….! Things make SO much more sense this time around!
Since we’ll likely be doing some hardcore binge-watching before the premiere, we’ll need some fast, kid-friendly meals! Like this SPICY Instant Pot crack chicken!
What is crack chicken?!
Have you guys had crack chicken before!? I had it a long time ago, and loved it but kind of dismissed it since then for whatever reason. I made it again a few weeks ago, and it was delicious again, but Etienne and I both agreed it was missing something. SPICE! Are we the only ones that bring Tobasco to the table for every meal…?
Crack chicken on its own is pretty awesome; I mean, cream cheese, bacon, cheese and chicken. These things go very, very well together, wouldn’t you agree? So, I’ve kept things classic, but added a little kick to my own version with some sautéed jalapeno peppers and a dash of chili pepper. Oooh-eee! Slam dunk.
What do you serve spicy Instant Pot crack chicken with?
Since jalapenos are technically a vegetable (I think) you don’t NEED to add any veggies to this dish, but I feel much less guilty about eating all of that cream cheese when I serve this deliciousness over top a bed of zoodles! Plus, zoodles instead of rice keep this dish keto-friendly!
Do you guys eat a lot of zoodles? I find we eat a TON of them in the summer when our zucchini plants ae in full force, along with our favourite zucchini pizza! In the winter a lot of the zucchini in the stores is expensive and SMALL. It makes me miss my baseball bat-sized zucchini!
Anyway, we do eat zoodles on occasion in the winter. They’re such a great way to get nutrients into the kids! I usually mix them in with plain spaghetti noodles and the kids never know what hit them. One day they’ll wisen up! For now, zoodles! Here’s the spiralizer I use.
My advice to you if you’re serving this crack chicken with zoodles, is to only slightly cook the zucchini in a frying pan, with a touch of olive oil. The zoodles go best with the creamy chicken if they’re a bit crunchy!
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes. The chicken technically cooks in 15 minutes, but it takes 10-15 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure first. It makes quite a bit, so you’ll likely have leftovers. Lucky for you, this dish keeps very well in the fridge and reheats beautifully!
Some other Instant Pot wins from the blog:
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Spicy Instant Pot Crack Chicken
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This creamy, cheesy, EASY Instant Pot crack chicken with a spicy kick is low-carb and full-flavour. Get your dinner on in under 30 minutes with this delicious dish!
Ingredients
- 3 slices bacon, uncooked
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 jalapenos, diced and seeded*
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 2 blocks (16oz) full-fat cream cheese, cubed
- 4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
- 1/3 cup chicken stock
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- pinch salt and pepper, each
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- optional: zucchini noodles, for serving
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté and add the bacon. Cook the bacon for 4-5 minutes or until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a plate. Set aside. Add the minced garlic and sauté for a few minutes. Add the diced jalapenos and onion and cook for a couple of additional minutes. Turn the Instant Pot off.
- Add the cubed cream cheese to the Instant Pot, followed by the chicken breasts, chicken stock, onion powder, chili powder and salt and pepper. Close the Instant Pot, ensure the valve is sealed and turn it to manual cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before you’ll see the time start to count down.
- When the timer goes, perform a quick release and then open the lid. Remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board and use two forks to shred the meat. Add the meat back into the pot, along with the cheese, and stir everything together. Keep the Instant Pot at “hold warm” until ready to serve. Serve on zoodles (see post above), in a sandwich, a wrap or in lettuce wraps!
Leftovers keep very well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 2-3 days.
Notes
- If you’d like to keep the dish quite spicy, keep the seeds. Otherwise, discard them.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: dinner
- Method: instant pot
- Cuisine: american
Keywords: Instant Pot crack chicken // keto Instant Pot dinners // easy keto instant pot dinner // crack chicken
Another keto-friendly Instant Pot recipe you may enjoy!
Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup

Would you believe I’ve never seen Game of Thrones? I think I might be the only one. I’m sure someday I’ll get around to watching it and kick myself for missing out for so long :). As for this chicken, it sounds awesome! Jalapeños make everything even better!
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Oh Kelsie! You must try it! Maybe you’ll hate it, but you have to at least try 😉 Jalapenos definitely make everything better. Thanks friend!
I’m not a Game of Thrones girl, but sign me up for this chicken!! 😉 I’ve bever had Crack Chicken, but this looks and sounds amazing!!
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I have a feeling you’d love this dish, Marissa! Hope you get a chance to try it out!
I think I watched one episode of Game of Thrones lol! And never heard of crack chicken but I can’t wait to try it! It does sound very addicting 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I think I watched one episode of Game of Thrones lol! And never heard of crack chicken but I can’t wait to try it! It does sound very addicting 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
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It’s funny how life is. I have never had crack chicken before but I have created a recipe similar to yours. I love yours though! Love the noodles served with this. Perfectly keto!
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Never had crack chicken! But looks and sounds like it’s named appropriately! And totally justifiable when served with zoodles! Yum!
I’ve never watched one episode of Game of Thrones!! Can you believe it?! This looks delicious, Katherine. Love the ingredients and ain’t no way I’m discarding those seeds 😉 Bring on the spice! Happy Monday! XO
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WOW I can’t believe it! I won’t! Haha. You need to watch it some time, Dawn! Thanks friend – I just know you’d like this one. Have a great week! XO
Crack chicken has been a favorite of ours for years! I love how you made yours spicy! This on some nacho chops…. Mmm! Thanks for sharing!
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Oh this would be SOOO good on nacho chips – I’ve got to try that!! Thanks Lori!
Winner, winner chicken dinner!!! So full of flavor, easy, effortless and lip-smacking good. This will be a kids favorite Kathy. Got to make this soon!
Thanks Maria – I bet your kids would love this one! Isn’t the Instant Pot the best!?
I’m a major GoT fan and like you, to prepare for the next season, I watch it all again from the beginning, although it’s in the background while I’m doing other things! Your IP spicy chicken looks excellent and addicting! 😉
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YES I always have it on in the background too – it’s nice that if you’ve already seen it you don’t have to pay close attention. Thanks Elaine!
Crack chicken is already amazing….cooking it in an instant pot AND adding jalapenos?!?! I’m sold!! YUM! Awesome recipe, my friend!
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YES! So glad you’re in! Thanks Haylie!!
The hubs is a huge GOT fan and is SO excited for the season to start! And speaking of the hubs….him and Ethan would LOVE this yummy dinner!
You’ve got to make it for him and Ethan some time and serve it up over nachos before a GOT episode!! 🙂
Me too never had crack chicken but your post makes me doing it ASAP ! Sharing !
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You’ve definitely got to try it!! Thanks! 🙂
Well, it’s two strikes for me—I never watched GOT or had crack chicken 🙁 This looks so delicious!! I’m all for your version, because a little bit of spice makes everything even yummier!
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Oh nooo well one of those is easy to fix – you’ve got to make this crack chicken stat!!
Can not wait for GoT to start!! So excited for the final season! This chicken looks amazing – anything in an IP is a winner for me!
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I’m so glad you’re also excited!! I am so curious to see what happens! Thanks Carrie – isn’t the IP just the best!?
Kathy, this creamy chicken looks so delicious! I’d love it with a piece of crusty bread!
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A little too close to bedtime, my friend! 🙂
Oooh genius. It would be SO good with a piece of crusty bread!! It would soak it right up!
Katherine, this creamy chicken looks so delicious! I’d love it with a piece of crusty bread! 🙂
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I’ve only watched a couple episodes of GOT – but I can definitely get behind this chicken! Love that it’s cooked in an instant pot too – pinning for later!!
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The instant pot makes life SO much easier, doesn’t it!? I hope you try it. You’ll love it!!
I love any dish with cream cheese, and then bacon on top of that it must be good! I’m really looking forward to trying this!
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You really can’t go wrong with bacon and cream cheese! 😉
You had me at spicy. Crack chicken is my absolute favorite and I love the fact you served it with low carb zoodles. I’m been enjoying cooking in my instant pot and I did try a version of crack chicken last weekend, it was delicious! Saving this version to try later.
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It is SO good isn’t it!? I love crack chicken too! I hope you give it a shot – the spicy is the best!
Yum the recipe sounds fantastic. Frankly, I’ve yet to see a recipe with bacon that I don’t like. Adding it to the chicken guarantees it will have flavor and with the additional spices? Super yummy. This is on the menu this week.
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Hooray! I hope you love it as much as we do. Bacon definitely guarantees a delicious outcome!
Lately I’m super obsessed about zucchini noodles. This recipe sounds super delicious and it’s super easy to make. I must give it a try.
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I love zucchini noodles too, Natalie. I think you’ll love it!
How have I never even heard of crack chicken?! I feel so sad for all years gone by without it. Time to fire up the Instant Pot!
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Hah isn’t it weird when you hear about something for the first time!? Thanks Lorie – I bet you’ll love it!
Hehehe love the name and the chicken sounds super delish! And easy to make! What a great combo :). Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Daniela! It is such a great dish!!
Well that title alone makes me want to become addicted to this chicken dish! It sounds so amazing Katherine! I must add it to the list.
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