How to get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes

We are all busy, all of the time. If it’s not running errands for our kids, it’s our work, home and everything else thrown in to the mix. The last thing we want to think about on a busy day is what to make for dinner and we ALL want to know how to get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes!

A quick internet search will lead you down a very deep and vast rabbit hole. Trying to find a recipe that is not only quick and easy but also matches up with what you have in your pantry stock, can sometimes be a challenge.

You can make this meal with some prepared foods like a rotisserie chicken, packaged seasonings and store bought canned goods.

There are lots of variations of this recipe online, so I am providing a basic recipe that you can take and make it your own.

Why Crack Chicken

Crack chicken is a catch phrase for slow cooked chicken in a sauce with beans and seasonings, it’s that simple. My recipe uses a mix of prepared foods and fresh ingredients, so you can adapt whatever parts you like and make up your own version.

The main components of the dish are chicken, tomatoes with chilis, ranch seasoning, broth, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, beans, corn and cheeses.

This meal is ideal for a quick week night dinner because it is high in protein, adaptable to ingredients that you have on hand and can be served in multiple ways.

Instant Pot cooking

*This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on and make a purchase from one of the links in this post, I may earn a small commission from that sale, at NO extra charge to you.

I use an IP a LOT in my kitchen. I use it to make meats, broths, soups, rice, almost anything can be made in the IP. You do not have to have an Instant Pot in order to make this meal, a regular crock pot or slow cooker will do the same thing. You could even cook this in the oven in a casserole and serve it family style!

I place my fresh chicken (we raise our own chickens so I get one from the freezer whenever I want to make this). Sometimes I use a whole chicken if I want the left over meat for meals later in the week, but a lot of times I just use leg quarters or chicken breasts for this meal.

If I am cooking the chicken, I add enough water to the IP to cover the chicken and a little extra for broth. Once the chicken is done, the rest of the meal is so easy to assemble, I do it all in the IP!

What you will need

Chicken (either fresh or prepared/cooked)

Some beans (we like black beans, but you can use whatever you have and like)

Broth (chicken works best here)

Tomatoes with chilis

Corn (I usually use frozen)

Ranch seasoning (seasoning packets or your own blend work just fine)

Taco seasoning (again packets or your own blend, either will work)

Onion

Cream cheese

Shredded cheese (I usually use a sharp or medium sharp cheddar for this)

Bacon (can be omitted without affecting the flavor of the dish)

Chips or rice

Getting dinner on the table in under 30 minutes

(These amounts are for a whole chicken)

If starting with frozen/whole chicken, the timing for your meal will obviously take longer. As mentioned above, I cook my fresh chicken in the IP with about 6 cups of water because I want that extra broth.

Cook chicken in the IP on manual/pressure cook until done and no longer pink (may take 90 minutes or more if your chicken was frozen and depends on how much you put in your IP).

Once chicken is fully cooked the meat should fall apart, remove from the IP and pour the broth into a jar. (Be careful, the pot and broth are HOT)!

Cube or shred your chicken and return the meat to your IP. At this point, everything else gets added in.

Now add to the pot:

• 2 cans of rinsed and drained black beans
• 16oz of frozen corn
• 2 cans of tomatoes with chilis (sometimes I blends these prior to adding them in for a thinner sauce)
• 1 ranch seasoning packet (can add 2 if you have a lot of liquid)
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 8oz block of cream cheese
• 2 cups of broth
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Give everything a little stir and replace your lid to your IP. Lock the lid and manual/pressure cook for 5 minutes on high pressure.

Once the timer goes off for your pressure cooker, do a quick release. Carefully unlock and open the lid, remembering this is HOT.

Give everything a gentle stir, making sure that your cream cheese has combined with the rest of the ingredients.

Crack chicken can be served with sour cream, chopped scallions, pickled pepper rings, jalapenos, lettuce, salsa, olives, etc., the combinations are limitless!

We usually serve this up with tortilla chips, or rice or wraps for quick and easy meals. This freezes well and makes great left overs for lunches or even quicker heat up dinners!

My tools

The Instant Pot I use like a work horse! https://amzn.to/3BVUrdz

The glass lid: https://amzn.to/3te20bx

Cutting Board: https://amzn.to/3sKoe5W

Insert Pot for Instant Pot: https://amzn.to/35A7PZ5

NutriBullet (have had this for several years and use it almost everyday!): https://amzn.to/3KmAyiI

If you like to be in the kitchen, check out this post:

https://hiddenfarmlife.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=297&action=edit

You can find us at:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYlXg9IvLUHABMrtAj10jKg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiddenfarmlife

Instagram: @hidden_farm_life

Hidden Farm Life

P O Box 215

Windsor, PA 17366