Instant Pot Crack Chili Chicken Recipe

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Making dinner for your family doesn’t have to be a pain. The Instant Pot is here to make cooking easy, quick and tasty! Crack chicken is one of the best recipes you can whip up in no time and this Instant Pot crack chili chicken recipe is such a breeze!

If you love tasty food like me then this recipe will become one of your favorite chicken recipes of all time! Get ready to impress everyone at home with this delicious meal that’s perfect for any weeknight or weekend dinner.

Crack chicken chili is so good it’ll turn into a regular thing on your menu plan. So get your Instant Pot, grab all the ingredients and let’s cook!

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What Is Crack Chicken Chili?

Crack Chili Chicken aka crack chicken chili is a very easy and quick weeknight dinner made from rotisserie chicken or chicken breasts, beans, tomatoes, spices, ranch dressing and cream cheese.

People love cream cheese chicken chili, your family will gobble it up for dinner and they can have it with their favorite toppings from cheese to sour cream and avocados and don’t forget those leftover tortilla chips from Taco Night.

Why Is Crack Chicken Chili So Popular?

As described above, crack chili chicken is an inexpensive meal that the whole family loves because it is full of flavor and it’s super easy to prepare.

What Is The Difference Between Chili And Stew?

Chili is a spicy stew that uses chili peppers or powder as the main seasoning. Stews are usually thicker, less spicy and made with vegetables and meat.

Chili also tends to be served with toppings, such as cheese, sour cream and avocado. Stew often does not have these toppings but sometimes comes with dumplings.

Crack Chicken Chilli Instant Pot Cooking Times

• (serves 6-8)
• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cook time: About 30 minutes

Ingredients For Instant Pot Crack Chili Chicken

Here are the ingredients needed for pressure cooker crack chili chicken:

• 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 15 oz black beans, canned or cooked, drained
• 15 oz can whole kernel corn, drained 
• 15 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
• 4 oz can diced green chilies drained
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 oz packet ranch seasoning
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 8 oz package of cream cheese cubed and softened to room temperature (we like the Philadelphia brand cream cheese)
• 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch + Tbsp cold water to thicken chili (optional)

How To Cook Crack Chili Chicken In The Instant Pot

Here are the step-by-step instructions for cooking Instant Pot crack chicken chili.

Step One: Add Ingredients To Your Pot

Add to your Instant Pot the chicken breast, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, green chili,

bacon, ranch seasoning, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Step Two: Add Chicken Broth

Pour the chicken broth into the Instant Pot and stir the ingredients.

Step Three: Pressure Cook Your Crack Chicken Chili Recipe

Close the Instant Pot lid and the sealing valve by pushing the valve away from you. Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.

Step Four: Quick Release Your Instant Pot

Once your Instant Pot has finished cooking, do a quick release by bringing the valve toward you to release all the pressure.

Step Five: Shred The Chicken

Remove the chicken breast from the Instant Pot to a cutting board. Set aside ready to shred.

Step Six: Turn Instant Pot To Saute Mode

Select cancel on your Instant Pot, and then select the sauté mode. While your Instant Pot is heating up to sauté mode, shred your chicken breasts. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot.

Step Seven: Add Your Cream Cheese

Add the cubed cream cheese and cheddar cheese to the chicken mixture. Stir cheddar cheese and cream cheese until completely melted.

Step Eight: Serve And Garnish Cream Cheese Crack Chicken Chili

Your crack chicken chili is now ready to serve. Scoop into bowls and garnish with shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, avocado, cilantro and a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy!

Can I Use Frozen Chicken In This Recipe?

Yes, you can use substitute frozen chicken breasts in this recipe then you can. Simply add 5 extra minutes to the pressure cooking time if substituting fresh chicken breasts with frozen breasts.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs For Crack Chicken Chili?

Yes, if you want to use boneless skinless chicken thighs then follow the same pressure cooking times as for chicken breasts.

Can I Use Cooked Chicken Instead Of Fresh Chicken?

yes. If you wish to substitute rotisserie chicken or add shredded rotisserie chicken to this dish rather than cooking fresh or frozen chicken then add the shredded chicken at the end with the cream cheese.

Do I Have To Use Diced Tomatoes And Green Chiles?

No you do not have to use diced tomatoes and green chilies. You could replace this with a can of mild rotel diced tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

Can I Make Crack Chicken Chili On The Stovetop?

Yes, you can make this crack chicken chili recipe on the stovetop. Follow the same instructions as above and simmer over medium heat for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Stir occasionally.

How To Make Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Crack Chili Chicken

To make this slow cooker version of crack chili chicken, add all the ingredients to your slow cooker except for cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours.

After the cooking time is done combine the broth and cream cheese along with the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined.

Can You Freeze Crack Chili Chicken?

You can freeze crack chili chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Prepare the crack chili chicken according to the recipe, then allow it to cool completely.

Place the creamy crack chicken chili into an airtight plastic bag and store flat in the freezer.

What To Serve With Crack Chili Chicken?

You can serve your crack chili chicken on top of rice or you can serve it alone with some tortilla chips for dipping. You can also use it as a topping for nachos or tostadas.

Others enjoy this recipe with rice or tortillas. You could also serve it over mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.

For side dishes, some great options include salads, steamed vegetables, roasted vegetables and more.

How Do You Make Chili Thicker?

If you like your chili thicker, simply combine flour and water until it forms a paste. Add the paste to your recipe near the end. The longer you allow it to simmer, the thicker your sauce will become.

Topping with sour cream and Cilantro

We love to top our crack chili chicken with sour cream. Sour cream is a a tasty , cool way to cut the heat of this spicy dish. It also adds a cool creamy texture. For those who like their Mexican food on the more flavorful side, they choose to top it with chopped cilantro. Cilantro is a versatile herb that can be used in many different dishes and adds a bright, herbal note.

How Do You Make Chili Thicker?

If you like your chili thicker, simply combine flour and water until it forms a paste. Add the paste to your recipe near the end. The longer you allow it to simmer, the thicker your sauce will become.

Is There A Way To Make This Dish Healthier?

Yes! Add more veggies! You can add anything you like for example, grated carrot, zucchini, mushrooms, and green and red peppers. Whatever veg you enjoy pack it in!

You could also opt for reduced-fat cream cheese and/or reduced-fat cheddar cheese. Opting for leaner cuts of chicken will also help to reduce the calorie content of your dish.

Finally, you can always serve it with roasted vegetables or a large side salad if you’d like to increase your vegetable intake.

More Instant Instant Pot Recipes

Did you enjoy this Instant Pot crack chili chicken recipe? You may also love the following easy Instant Pot recipes:

• Instant Pot Beef Chili
• Instant Pot Black Bean Chicken
• Instant Pot White Chili Chicken
• Instant Pot Chili Beans
• Instant Pot Huli Huli Chicken
• Instant Pot Enchilada Soup
• Instant Pot Taco Soup
• Instant Pot Potato And Leek Soup
• Instant Pot Gnocchi Soup