Crack Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
The ingredients list of our recipe leaves little to the imagination when it comes to why this recipe has become so popular. Tender, rotisserie chicken, rich cream cheese, aromatics, and shredded cheese melded together to make the comfort meal of a lifetime.
A Year of Meal Plans on a Budget
Gluten Free

If you haven’t seen the crack recipe craze in the culinary world, the recipe we are sharing with you today is the perfect introduction to it: Crack Chicken. Crack Chicken is actually the OG in the crack recipe craze, finding its origin in a place not too far from me: Lansing, Michigan. Our version took all of the immersive flavors and coupled them with the utmost convenience, because we translated it into a make-ahead freezer meal. While we are all about eating the most delicious food, we also have a slew of things happening in our world at any given moment, so convenience and ease are non-negotiables.

The ingredients list of our recipe leaves little to the imagination when it comes to why this recipe has become so popular. Tender, rotisserie chicken, rich cream cheese, aromatics, and shredded cheese meld together to make the comfort meal of a lifetime. Garnish it with chopped bacon and green onions, and it becomes a next-level comfort recipe, impressing the guests just as much as the chef. 

The cherry on top is this: the chef gets to enjoy the presence of the guests and the delicious meal. We are not fans of the whole run-around that happens when hosting or when simply trying to prepare dinner for our family, and the make-ahead nature of our Crack Chicken recipe omits all of the chaos.

With just a mixing bowl, a casserole dish, the ingredients, and less than ten minutes, dinner is prepared and waits for you in your freezer until the day of its debut. When that day comes, a simple freezer-to-oven transfer and ninety minutes of your day results in the most heavenly of meals for you and yours. 

So, what do you say? Are you ready to join the crack recipe craze? (In my best Tone Loc voice) let’s do it!

Why You’ll Love this Crack Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe

  • Versatile: Versatile both with the ingredients and serving methods, Crack Chicken is the perfect go-to recipe for all occasions.
  • Crowd Pleaser: This recipe is ideal for gatherings, ensuring everyone will enjoy your dish and even ask for the recipe.
  • School Lunch Suitable: Leftovers are a perfect option for school lunches.
  • Low-Maintenance Cooking: The prep and cooking methods require minimal effort, freeing up your evenings for what you want to do most.
A Year of Meal Plans on a Budget
Crack Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe
The ingredients list of our recipe leaves little to the imagination when it comes to why this recipe has become so popular. Tender, rotisserie chicken, rich cream cheese, aromatics, and shredded cheese melded together to make the comfort meal of a lifetime.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Equipment
  • 9×13 oven and freezer-safe pan/dish
  • Lid for pan/dish (aluminum foil works great)
  • Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
  
  • 2 cups Rotisserie chicken chopped
  • 8 oz Cream cheese
  • 15 oz Alfredo sauce can
  • 1/2 tbsp Dried parsley
  • 1/2 tbsp Dried dill
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Onion powder
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 2 cups Broth
  • 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
Optional Garnish:
  • 1/2 cup Bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup Green onions chopped
Instructions
 
Prep/Freezer Directions:
  • Label a 9×13 Pan/Dish with recipe name and cooking directions according to your preferred label method.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients, until everything is combined.
  • Add everything to the 9×13 dish and spread evenly.
  • Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.
Oven Cooking Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Remove Crack Chicken casserole from freezer and place in preheated oven covered with aluminum foil. Cook for 40 minutes.
  • Uncover and cook an additional 20-30 minutes.
  • Remove from oven, allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Optional: Top with bacon crumbles and diced green onions.
Dietary Adjustments
Make it Gluten Free: 
  • Ensure Alfredo sauce is Gluten-Free
Make it Dairy Free: 
  • You could make a dairy free version of this recipe using DF cheese replacements; however we have not tested this recipe with the alternatives and cannot guarantee results. 
Keyword Chicken Casserole Recipes, Chicken Freezer Meals, Crack Chicken, Oven Casseroles, Oven Freezer Meals Recipes
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Equipment to Make Easy Freezer Meal Crack Chicken

  • 9×13 oven and freezer-safe pan/dish
  • Lid for pan/dish (aluminum foil works great)
  • Large mixing bowl

Ingredients for your Crack Chicken

  • 2 cups Rotisserie chicken, chopped
  • 8 oz Cream cheese
  • 15 oz Alfredo sauce, can
  • 1/2 tbsp Dried parsley
  • 1/2 tbsp Dried dill
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Onion powder
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 2 cups Broth
  • 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Optional Garnish:
  • 1/2 cup Bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup Green onions, chopped

How to Make Crack Chicken

Prep/Freezer Directions:

  1. Label a 9×13 Pan/Dish with recipe name and cooking directions according to your preferred label method.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients, until everything is combined.
  3. Add everything to the 9×13 dish and spread evenly.
  4. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.

Oven Cooking Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Remove Crack Chicken casserole from freezer and place in preheated oven covered with aluminum foil. Cook for 40 minutes.
  3. Uncover and cook an additional 20-30 minutes.
  4. Remove from oven, allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Optional: Top with bacon crumbles and diced green onions.

What to Pair with your Make-Ahead Crack Chicken Recipe

Sides:

Desserts:

Mocktails:

Popular Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions:

  • Greek Yogurt: In lieu of the cream cheese, use Greek yogurt to reduce the fat content and add a tangy flavor. Greek yogurt can be a healthier option to cream cheese while not foregoing the creamy texture you desire in a Crack Chicken recipe.
  • Turkey Bacon: In place of regular pork bacon, you can use turkey bacon to lower the calorie and fat content. It still adds that scrumptious bacon flavor and crunch.

Additions:

  • Jalapeños: Include chopped jalapeños for a spicier version of Crack Chicken. 
  • BBQ Sauce: Replace half the alfredo sauce with BBQ sauce to alter the flavor profile entirely, bringing some of the South to your Crack Chicken.

How to Reheat and Store Crack Chicken

Best way to store Easy Crack Chicken Freezer Meal leftovers?

Leftovers, whats that? You more than likely will not have any with this recipe. But if you do, the best way to store your leftover Crack chicken is by allowing the recipe to cool. Once cooled, place in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

How long will Crack Chicken last in the fridge?

When properly stored in an airtight container, and cooled completely to room temperature, your crack chicken leftovers will stay fresh for three to five days in the fridge.

Can I freeze Crack Chicken Meal Prep?

Our meal prep method entails freezing recipes raw because it yields the most convenience and the best flavor and texture. While we think this recipe will be such a hit that you won’t have leftovers, if you find yourself with leftovers, you are welcome to freeze them. Just beware that the second round will be lacking in flavor and texture.

How to Reheat Healthy Crack Chicken Freezer Recipe?

This recipe is reheatable on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave. Alternatively, you can use it as an appetizer the second day, keeping it warm and serving it in a slow cooker set to warm. Make sure when reheating to avoid overcooking, as that will change the flavor and texture of the recipe!

Budget Crack Chicken Freezer Meal FAQs

Other Chicken Recipes You’ll Love!

Don’t forget to Pin this recipe for later!

Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your Crack Chicken turned out!

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