This low carb chicken dish is one of those recipes I keep coming back to—juicy, cheesy, loaded with crispy bacon and scallions, and baked to absolute perfection. Whether you’re keeping carbs in check or just love a no-fuss, flavor-packed dinner, this one’s a keeper.
Why I Keep Making This Chicken on Repeat
We’ve been eating more low carb meals at home lately—partly to feel a little lighter, and partly because it helps with energy levels during busy weeks. But let’s be honest, if a low carb recipe isn’t big on flavor, no one wants to eat it. This one checks all the boxes—rich, savory, comforting, and the kind of thing you crave after a long day.
The first time I made this, I remember the smell alone had everyone wandering into the kitchen asking, “What’s that?” And by the time it hit the table? Gone in minutes. It’s just one of those dishes where cheese, bacon, and well-seasoned chicken work together like they were made for each other.
What Makes It So Good?
This dish leans into simple ingredients that never fail:
- Chicken thighs or breasts: I usually use boneless, skinless thighs because they stay extra juicy, but breasts work great too—just be sure not to overbake.
- Cream cheese: It melts into a luscious, creamy layer that hugs the chicken and keeps everything moist.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar gives it that rich, melty pull. If you want to switch things up, pepper jack adds a little heat.
- Bacon: I cook mine crisp and chop it up before adding it on top—don’t skimp here.
- Green onions: Adds that nice fresh bite to balance all the richness.
Honestly, it’s the kind of combo that’s hard to mess up. It’s cheesy, meaty comfort food—just happens to be low in carbs.
Cooking Tips From My Kitchen
- Season the chicken generously. I mean really rub those spices in—this isn’t the time to be shy. Garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and a pinch of Italian seasoning make a big difference.
- Sear before baking: If you have an extra 5 minutes, quickly sear the chicken in a hot pan before it goes in the oven. It adds a beautiful color and locks in the juices.
- Let it rest a bit after baking: This helps the cheese settle and keeps everything extra juicy.
What To Serve With It (Low Carb or Not)
When I’m sticking to low carb, I’ll usually serve this with roasted broccoli, sautéed zucchini, or a side salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
But on more relaxed days? It’s fantastic over buttery mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or even tossed into a bowl of pasta. My kid once asked me to put the leftovers into a sandwich, and I have to say—it was ridiculously good.
Make-Ahead Tips
This chicken actually reheats like a dream. You can prep it earlier in the day, cover it with foil, and bake it just before dinner. If you’re making it ahead for the next day, store everything assembled (but not baked), and keep it covered in the fridge.
Leftovers (if you even have any) can be kept in an airtight container and reheated in the oven or microwave. I’ve even diced up cold leftovers to toss into a salad the next day. Still amazing.
A Quick Note About the Name
“Crack chicken” is just shorthand for that combo of bacon, cheese, and creamy goodness that people go wild for. It’s not the prettiest name, but the flavor? Totally addictive in the best way.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those dishes I keep in my back pocket when I need dinner to feel like a treat—without a ton of effort. Whether you’re eating low carb or just want something insanely good, this smothered chicken will win everyone over.
And trust me, if you’re feeding a crowd, double the batch. I’ve learned the hard way that one tray disappears too fast!
Low Carb Smothered Crack Chicken
Creamy, cheesy, and full of smoky bacon goodness—this low carb crack chicken is the kind of weeknight dinner that wins over everyone at the table. The chicken stays juicy under a layer of herby cream cheese and melty cheddar, and the crispy bacon? That just seals the deal.
Ingredients
- 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 strips thick-cut bacon, diced
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (for chicken)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (for cream cheese)
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill weed
- ½ teaspoon dried chives
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Sliced green scallions, for garnish
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the diced bacon until it's golden and crisp. Scoop it out onto a paper towel-lined plate, but don’t drain the fat from the pan—you’ll want that flavor.
- To the skillet with the bacon drippings, add the olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Sear the chicken in the hot skillet, about 2–3 minutes on each side, just until you get a good golden crust. Toss in the butter and let it melt around the chicken for extra richness.
- Once seared, place the chicken in your prepared baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, dill weed, and chives until it’s smooth and spreadable. (Shortcut: you can swap the seasonings for 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning if you're in a pinch.)
- Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture over each chicken breast. Top with half of the cooked bacon, followed by a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar.
- Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- When it’s done, scatter the remaining bacon on top and garnish with fresh parsley and green scallions.
- Dig in while it’s hot and melty—you won’t believe it’s low carb!
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 611Total Fat 41gSaturated Fat 19gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 18gCholesterol 198mgSodium 1344mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 0gSugar 1gProtein 54g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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