Crack Chicken Foil Pack
This Crack Chicken Foil Pack is the ultimate summer meal! Tender broccoli and chicken are paired with salty bacon, sharp cheddar, and zesty ranch seasoning. This meal is ready in 20 minutes, has no cleanup, and contains just 5 net carbs per serving.
What is Crack Chicken?
This is referred to as a “crack” chicken recipe because it is so addicting. The flavor combination of chicken, bacon, ranch, and cheese really is irresistible! One of the best things about this flavor combo is its versatility. It can be served as a dip or with a bun, quesadilla, wrap, slider, and even more! This is one of the reasons crack chicken has become a popular potluck or party dish.
A common consideration when cooking for a potluck is guests’ diet considerations. You will be pleased to know this dish is also gluten-free and keto-friendly! For this reason, this is one of our personal party recipe favorites!
Crack Chicken Foil Pack Recipe
You might be asking why you would prepare a meal in a foil pack rather than in a slow cooker or baking in the oven. Foil packs don’t leave dirty pots and pans so there is virtually no cleanup. They are especially great options in the summer. You can toss the foil pack on the grill or even directly on campfire coals! Plates aren’t even a necessity so there truly can be zero cleanup if you choose.
This is also a great recipe for meal prepping. You can make this dish ahead of time and reheat or prepare the foil packs earlier in the week then all you have to do is toss them on the oven or grill 20 minutes before you plan to serve them. We also have a Crockpot Crack Chicken recipe in case you do prefer to use a slower cooker.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Minimal cleanup. No cleanup is required if you choose to eat out of the foil packs!
- Versatile. This dish will work well with so many pantry staples whether you’re preparing for a weekday dinner or your next potluck.
- Irresistible flavor. This flavor combo is called crack chicken for a good reason.
Ingredients for Crack Chicken Foil Pack
As always, here is a quick overview of the ingredients used for this crack chicken recipe. For the complete recipe, just scroll to the bottom of the page.
- Chicken, cut into cubes: I use boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe, but boneless thighs will also work if you prefer a different cut of meat.
- Olive oil: For heat transfer, flavor, browning ingredients and to avoid sticking
- Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning: you will need a packet of Ranch seasoning, not the liquid dressing.
- Broccoli: fresh broccoli is used, but cauliflower can be substituted.
- Cream Cheese: you can technically use reduced-fat cream cheese in this dish, but I would recommend using full-fat cream cheese. The reduced fat version just does not melt as smoothly. If you use the full-fat cream cheese it will have a better texture.
- Cheddar Cheese: cheddar is our favorite for this dish, but you can use your favorite variety if you wish.
- Bacon: crispy, crunchy freshly cooked bacon. Skip the prepackaged bacon bits for the best flavor.
How to Make a Crack Chicken Foil Pack
In addition to the ingredients listed above you will need aluminum foil and a few mixing bowls. Remember, it is very important to get heavy-duty foil, otherwise, it is not thick enough to make a foil pack. Follow along below to see the exact step-by-step process for this recipe.
Season the Chicken
Begin by cutting the chicken into nice small pieces. Shoot for 1-inch pieces of chicken, this ensures they cook quickly. In a bowl toss the cubed chicken with the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the Ranch seasoning, set aside.
Mix Other Ingredients
In a second bowl combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, Ranch seasoning, and cooked bacon. This can be a little difficult, you might find it easier to use a fork to mash the mixture to combine versus a spatula.
Add Ingredients to Foil Packs
Now it is time to make the foil pack, this is so easy! Tear four pieces of foil in 12-inch x 12-inch squares. Place 1 cup of fresh broccoli in the center of each square. Top with 1/4 of the chicken and 1/4 of the cheese mixture. Next, bring the sides of the foil pack up and carefully fold over to close, then close the ends. Be sure to leave enough room for air to circulate.
Cook
Cook the foil packs for 15-20 minutes. If grilling be sure the foil packs are over indirect heat, placing this directly on a flame can melt the foil and burn the food. Carefully open the foil pack, and check the chicken for an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Serve
Foil packs are ready to serve immediately after they have finished cooking. Be careful handling foil packs as they will be hot. Remember, the packet will be full of steam so use tongs or heat resistant gloves when opening, and be very careful to avoid a burn.
Storage and Reheating
This recipe can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Remember to drain off any moisture that might come from the chicken or broccoli to prevent a soggy dish. To reheat a whole foil pack add the pack to a preheated air fryer and cook at 350 degrees for 5 minutes or until warmed. Alternatively, you can add the ingredients to a microwave-safe plate and warm in 30-second increments until done.
Yes, that will work in a pinch but for the best flavor, we recommend freshly cooked bacon.
Absolutely. The nutritional information is included below in the recipe card.
Yes.
Yes, please see information directly above for reheating instructions.
Yes.
If you prefer using a slow cooker, try our Crockpot Crack Chicken recipe (which is mentioned above under the section Crack Chicken Foil Pack Recipe). There are slight modifications in that recipe compared to our foil pack recipe.
Tips for the Best Crack Chicken
- Use real bacon for the best flavor
- Mix it up. Try different flavor combos in the foil packs that you might prefer such as buffalo chicken or bbq chicken
- For even cooking, ensure ingredients are distributed relatively evenly
- Try chicken thigh meat, if you prefer dark meat
What to Serve With Crack Chicken Foil Packs
- Keto Three Cheese Biscuits: These Keto Three Cheese Biscuits are perfectly soft and fluffy! Each low-carb biscuit is loaded with sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and fresh basil for just 2 net carbs each!
- Keto Zucchini Fries: Breaded with almond flour, parmesan, and spices, then baked until perfectly crispy! The best keto, low-carb side dish!
- Cheddar Ranch Au Gratin Potatoes: Thinly sliced potatoes are paired with a creamy cheesy ranch sauce in the perfect Au Gratin Potato recipe!
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries: Easy, delicious, and healthier alternative to traditional French fries. These sweet potato fries only require a few ingredients and can be ready in 20 minutes or less!
Other Foil Pack Recipes
- Green Bean Foil Packs: A quick and easy summer side dish, with basically no cleanup!
- Grilled Pork Tenderloin and Herb-Crusted Potato Foil Packs: Pork loin is grilled alongside potatoes in this foil pack recipe. An easy summer meal perfect for busy weeknights!
- Andouille Sausage Foil Packs: Loaded with cajun flavor! Enjoy grilled sausage, vegetables, and cheese in a quick and easy foil packet recipe for about 6 net carbs!
- Sausage Broccoli Cheddar Foil Packs: Just three ingredients, under 7 net carbs, and ready in about 20 minutes! This is a simple foil-pack recipe perfect for the grill or oven!
Get the Recipe: Crack Chicken Foil Pack
Ingredients
- 1 pound of chicken, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1 ounce package of Hidden Valley Ranch, divided
- 4 cups fresh broccoli
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
Instructions
- Heat an oven or grill to 400 degrees F.
- In a bowl toss the cubed chicken with the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the Ranch seasoning, set aside.
- In a second bowl combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, Ranch seasoning, and cooked bacon.
- Tear 4 pieces of foil in 12-inch x 12-inch squares.
- Place 1 cup of fresh broccoli in the center of each square. Top with 1/4 of the chicken and 1/4 of the cheese mixture.
- Bring the sides of the foil pack up and carefully fold over to close, then close the ends. Be sure to leave enough room for air to circulate.
- Cook the foil packs for 15-20 minutes. If grilling be sure the foil packs are over indirect heat, placing this directly on a flame can melt the foil and burn the food. Carefully open the foil pack, and check the chicken for an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
I’m going to a quilters retreat.
24 women.
Could this be made in a 9×13?
Ps: there is another main dish
Hi Lorna, yes I do think it would work! I’m not sure of how that may change the cooking time, but as long as the chicken is cut into small pieces I think it would work well without overcooking the broccoli.