Crack chicken keto thighs made on the stove top in a skillet. Featuring a creamed ranch sauce and topped with melted cheddar cheese. These chicken thighs are creamy and delicious!
Recipe Highlights
- A fun and delicious chicken recipe that’s completely keto friendly.
- Keep up with the viral crack chicken theme and still stay on your diet.
Ingredients needed for the recipe
- Chicken thighs
- Heavy cream
- Cream cheese
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Bacon
- Keto-friendly ranch seasoning mix (provided below)
Important info before starting the recipe
The xanthan gum is there to thicken the sauce. If you don’t use it the cream sauce will remain thin. Be sure to mix it within the ranch seasoning because that allows it to not clump together and form lumps. Hence, why the instructions say to mix quickly.
Note, when it cools completely the sauce will look gel-like. This is due to the “gum” aspect. Once reheated it will return to being smooth and thick.
What to serve with keto crack chicken?
- Cauliflower Sweet Potato Casserole
- Chicken Thighs and Broccoli
- Cheesy Radish Recipe
- Keto Red Wine and Cabbage
Skillet Crack Chicken Keto Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 whole chicken thighs
- 2 cup heavy cream
- 6 ounces Cream Cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- 5 strips bacon chopped
Ranch Seasoning Mix
- 2.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional (see below))
Instructions
- Note: Make ranch seasoning mix first with xanthan gum and put it to the side. You want this together, mixed and ready when it's time to add for speed. Also, cook and chop bacon ahead of time as well.
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Add a little oil to a medium/high heated skillet and sear the chicken. Chicken skin just needs color. It doesn't have to be cooked all the way through.
- After chicken is browned on both sides remove the chicken from the pan. Remove most of excess oil with the exception of a tablespoon. Reduce heat to low/medium
- Add in heavy cream and cream cheese. Do not allow it to boil but a simmer is fine. Allow cream cheese to melt down. Then toss in ranch seasoning mix and mix quickly.
- Note: the hidden valley measurements are only for a substitution if you don't have all the ingredients for the homemade mix. Remove from heat.
- Add chicken thighs back into the cream sauce. Cover with shredded cheese and chopped bacon.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. If cheese starts to get too dark cover with aluminum foil.
- Allow to cool a bit then serve, the sauce will be extremely hot.
Video
Nutrition
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
It takes a really long time for the sauce thicken! I gave up after an hour
sometimes it will fight you. I found that adding a little xantham or guar gum and arrowroot powder. Not all 3 just one. I have made it several times so I understand when it seems it won’t thicken properly, but those things help and speed up the process
These were delicious! I simmered this slightly higher than medium low and it took about 30-35 mins to thicken up. I used my cast iron skillet. Thanks for the recipe!
I am glad you enjoyed! Next time a little xanthan gum, guar gum or arrowroot will speed that process up quickly
Hi! I made this too and the cream cheese just curdled like cottage cheese 🙁 my patience is lacking and I don’t know what went wrong. Nevertheless, I just continued (no the cr cheese remained as cottage cheese) and I put in the oven. It tastes sooo good! I will make again…. BUT, minutes, HOW many to just stir it, not standing there for 15+ minutes, no way! Let m know. Thank u
Hi, I am going to update the ingredients because sometimes the sauce will seriously fight you before getting thick. A little xanthan gum, arrowroot powder or guar gum will thicken up the sauce quickly.
Can we sub the ranch out with a lemon pepper or cajun seasoning? I really loathe ranch and this recipe looks really good.
That is such a great idea I think I will make that myself first chance I get. Sounds like an amazing sub. I may do an entire recipe post just on that lol
This was the Best chicken I have Ever had it was cool yummy ll thank you for this recipe
Why is this so salty?
Sooo good! The Xanthan Gum worked like a charm!! Thank you so much for sharing this!!!
Times for browning and simmering would be super helpful. Especially when cooking chicken thighs.. I’ve undercooked Chicken thighs too many times lol
I added what I used but I personally don’t like adding salt because there are so many factors where it could be too much or not enough. I recommend people adjust salt to their likings on ay recipe they create
Really a yummy receipe. If you vent the lid on the pan the sauce thickens up really nicely.
Loved the original recipe. What happened???
I am sorry but I changed it to be better along with updating photos. I recommended other ranch seasoning with one having a ton of carbs so I created a seasoning that could easily be made at home to produce the same flavor.
You left the bone broth out of your ingredients and recipe
No that wasn’t a mistake, the recipe was changed. I removed the bone broth from the new version after testing.
This was so delicious! I ate it with cauli rice. Next time I’m making it with chicken breasts and serving over zoodles. Now I understand why it’s called “crack” chicken. It’s addictive.
Mine thickened perfectly in less than 5 minutes. This is delicious!!!!
I loved the recipe. The whole family loved it too. With the leftover sauce I added canned chicken to make a dip.
Very loose sauce with too much cream for four thighs. I cut cream in half and it was still too saucy. Flavor is great!
This was DELICIOUS. We loved it!