Crack Chicken Salad

Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sharing is caring!

4.80 from 40 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

I know it’s a funny name but hear me out, Crack Chicken Salad is perfect if you’re looking for a fun twist on your basic chicken salad. It takes 30 minutes or less to make this tasty chicken salad that’ll have you going back for more!

I’d describe Crack Chicken Salad as if chicken salad and chicken bacon ranch had a baby. Seriously though! There’s cheese, bacon AND ranch in this and let me tell you, it’s delicious!


MORE EASY CHICKEN RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Easy Chicken Taquitos | Buffalo Chicken Dip | Easy Chicken Fajitas


What We Love About This Recipe

There’s so many great things about this recipe since it’s so adaptable and easy to make.

  • 30 Minute Meal: It only takes 30 minutes or less to get this from prepping to being on your plate.
  • Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients are super easy to work with, very beginner friendly!
  • Family Friendly: Kids will love the little cubes of cheese, bacon and pickles hidden throughout their sandwich!
  • Adaptable: You can make it without the cheese and ranch and substitute a dairy free mayonnaise to make the whole thing dairy free.
  • Makes Great Leftovers: Chicken salad stores well in the fridge for a few days for some grab-and-go sandwiches for work or school!
4.80 from 40 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • Cubed Cheese
  • Chopped Pickles
  • Bacon Pieces

Ingredient Notes

  • Cubed Cheese – A great addition to a basic chicken salad, use whatever cheese you like but I like cheddar or colby jack!
  • Chopped Pickles – Chopped pickles will give a crunchy texture! I prefer to use sweet pickles on my chicken salad!
  • Bacon Pieces – It’s better if you fry up some bacon and chop it up fresh, but the store bought bacon pieces work too.

Equipment Needed

How to make Crack Chicken Salad

These are the basic steps for making Crack Chicken Salad. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

STEP 1: Cook

In a pot, add chicken and water and put on high heat. Let boil and cook at a simmer for about 10 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle.

Remove from heat and strain off all the water.

STEP 2: Prep

Shred your chicken with a fork or, my personal favorite, with a hand mixer! The hand mixer will do the exact same thing, just MUCH faster.

STEP 3: Combine

Add the shredded chicken, celery, mayonnaise and seasoning to a bowl and stir to combine. Then, add cheese, bacon and chives and stir until that’s combined too!

STEP 4: Season

Finish off by folding in ranch and season as desired. Serve and enjoy!

Helpful Tips

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

Cook and shred your chicken ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Cut up your celery, chives, cheese and pickles ahead of time and store in airtight containers until you’re ready to combine everything.

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for 3-4 days.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE

Store in a freezer bag or airtight container. It will keep for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE HEALTHIER

This recipe is already quite healthy, however, you could take out the bacon and use low calorie mayo and ranch!

WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF PICKLES?

If you’re a fan of spice, use peppers instead! Peppers will give the same crunch factor that the pickles add to the mix.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE DOUBLED OR HALVED?

Absolutely! This recipe would be super easy to both half or double!

What to Serve with Crack Chicken Salad

4.80 from 40 votes

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad

Yield: 6 Servings of Crack Chicken Salad
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
This Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad the best way to eat a chicken salad, hands-down. So simple and tasty, with just a little bit of zing that sets it apart from the crowd.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • 2 Whole Chicken Breasts
  • ¼ cup Mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup Ranch
  • ¼ cup Chopped Celery
  • cup Bacon Pieces
  • ½ cup Chopped Pickles
  • 1 cup Cubed Cheese
  • ¼ cup Chopped Chives
  • 4 cups Water, to boil the chicken in

Instructions

  • Add chicken and water to a medium sized pot over high heat. Bring to a boil and cook at a simmer for 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked all the way through.
  • Remove chicken from the stove and drain off the broth.
  • Using a fork and knife, or (which is my favorite way to shred chicken) grab your hand mixer and shred your chicken with it.
  • Add shredded chicken, mayonnaise, celery and seasoning to a small mixing bowl and stir to combine.
  • Add in cheese to the mixture.
  • Then add bacon, pickles and chives.
  • Top with ranch and fold-in to combine it all.
  • Season as desired and enjoy!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 451mg | Sugar: 1g
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!Follow Us: @MoreChickenRecipes or tag #MoreChickenRecipes
Course: Salads

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating