Skillet Crack Chicken Keto Thighs

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!

crack chicken thighs in a skillet

What is crack chicken?

To begin, this should be asked first. I haven’t always known what crack chicken keto recipes were about. Thankfully, now I do!

Keto crack chicken is chicken made with a creamed ranch sauce and cheese. Typically, cream cheese and sharp cheddar are use. The chicken is made in a instant pot or crock pot for tenderness. My crack chicken keto thighs are made in an skillet. Much different than the traditional!

Crack chicken is suppose to be a keto snack, side dish if you may. I wanted to create and actual dish and make a filling keto dinner recipe for anyone to tried it. Cream cheese and sharp cheddar pack on the high fat side. Adding maximum flavor with the additions of bone broth as well.

Is chicken broth bone broth?

No, chicken broth has a great flavor. It’s keto friendly as well, but there is a better option. Such as chicken broth, bone broth carries the same great flavor. Yet, it has a secret ingredient chicken broth doesn’t have, collagen.

They are interchangeable. You can sub broth for bone broth or vice versa. But, you will lose the added benefits of what bone broth brings.

Advantages of bone broth:

  • Collagen packed
  • Great for the keto flu
  • Packed with electrolytes

The powerhouse bone broth is super nutritional. You can purchase great collagen options from brands like Perfect Keto, but nothing beats the source. Bone broth can be sipped like tea or even make a bulletproof bone broth recipe.

Save 15% on collagen at Perfect Keto on me!

Crack chicken keto thighs in a cast iron skillet covered in cheese and a ranch cream sauce


How to make crack chicken keto thighs in a skillet

  1. Seasoning the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Then using olive oil brown the chicken in a medium hot pan.
  2. After chicken is browned on both sides remove the chicken from the pan. Lower the heat to medium and pour in broth.
  3. Bring broth to boil then lower the heat to medium/low to being to simmer. Add in cream cheese.
  4. Toss in tablespoon to tablespoon and a half of ranch seasoning mix.
  5. Add chicken thighs back into the broth and cream cheese.
  6. Once sauce has reduced take off heat and top each thigh with cheddar cheese. Place in oven on broil setting.

How to many calories in crack chicken keto thighs

Below you will find full nutrition facts for this skillet crack chicken keto thigh recipe. Info contains the value for each chicken thigh including the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. It fits the macros for the perfect keto dinner recipe. Only 3g net carbs per chicken thigh!

crack chicken thighs in a skillet

What to serve with crack chicken?

Skillet chicken thighs are a great option for your protein source. Yet, sometimes a side dish is nice. Things like cauliflower rice, broccoli, asparagus and so get a little old. Maybe, you should spice it up a little. Other great recipes and side dishes below can be used to serve with your skillet keto crack chicken thighs.

Cauliflower Sweet Potato Casserole

Chicken Thighs and Broccoli

Low Carb Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Cheesy Radish Recipe

Keto Red Wine and Cabbage

***Recipe Revised***

crack chicken thighs in a skillet

Skillet Crack Chicken Keto Thighs

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!
3.20 from 61 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Baking Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 chicken thighs
Calories 603.4 kcal

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))

Hidden Valley Ranch Measurements (sub for ranch seasoning mix)

  • 1-1.5 tablespoon ranch seasoning (sub with if you don't have ingredients above)

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

Notes

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.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Skillet Crack Chicken Keto Thighs
Amount Per Serving (1 Thigh)
Calories 603.4 Calories from Fat 475
% Daily Value*
Fat 52.8g81%
Saturated Fat 29.6g185%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 209.6mg70%
Sodium 499mg22%
Carbohydrates 5.4g2%
Fiber 0.5g2%
Sugar 3.3g4%
Protein 32.2g64%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Leave a rating and comment, thank you

21 thoughts on “Skillet Crack Chicken Keto Thighs”

  1. 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

  2. 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!

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  5. Can we sub the ranch out with a lemon pepper or cajun seasoning? I really loathe ranch and this recipe looks really good.

  6. 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

  7. This was the Best chicken I have Ever had it was cool yummy ll thank you for this recipe

  8. Times for browning and simmering would be super helpful. Especially when cooking chicken thighs.. I’ve undercooked Chicken thighs too many times lol

  9. 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

  10. Really a yummy receipe. If you vent the lid on the pan the sauce thickens up really nicely.

  11. 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.

  12. 4 stars
    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.

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