Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
Gather around, friends! If you’re searching for a hearty, soul-satisfying dish that brings the flavors of the Wild West right to your dinner table, look no further than Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken. This delightful recipe features succulent chicken breasts smothered in rich barbecue sauce, topped with crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that will make your taste buds dance!
Perfect for family gatherings, cookouts, or a cozy weeknight dinner, this dish strikes the perfect balance between comfort and nourishment. The wonderful smoky aroma wafting from the kitchen will draw everyone in, and the combination of flavors is simply irresistible. With every bite, you’ll see why readers everywhere are falling in love with this scrumptious recipe.
This is what the finished dish looks like when perfectly baked.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
This is a glimpse of the delicious ingredients we’ll be using to create this memorable dish.
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.
- Once cool, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
- Rub both sides of each chicken breast with olive oil.
- Evenly sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Place a large oven-safe skillet on medium-high heat until hot, then add the seasoned chicken breasts.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until a golden-brown crust forms.
- While chicken cooks, chop the green onions and prepare the barbecue sauce.
- Once seared, reduce the heat to medium and pour the barbecue sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the barbecue sauce-covered chicken.
- Crumble the cooked bacon over the cheese.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once done, remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle chopped green onions on top.
- If desired, add red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Ingredient Substitutions: For a lighter version, you can use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon. Swap out the cheddar cheese for mozzarella or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
- Optional Variations: Add jalapeños for a spicy twist or some pineapple chunks for a hint of sweetness that complements the barbecue sauce.
- Storage and Reheating Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or use the microwave for a quick meal.
Recipe Information
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty level: Easy
This is a beautiful dish that showcases the perfect harmony of flavors.
Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
410kcal
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Method
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.
- Once cool, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
- Rub both sides of each chicken breast with olive oil.
- Evenly sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Place a large oven-safe skillet on medium-high heat until hot, then add the seasoned chicken breasts.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until a golden-brown crust forms.
- While chicken cooks, chop the green onions and prepare the barbecue sauce.
Cooking
- Once seared, reduce the heat to medium and pour the barbecue sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the barbecue sauce-covered chicken.
- Crumble the cooked bacon over the cheese.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once done, remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle chopped green onions on top.
- If desired, add red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Serving1gCalories410kcalCarbohydrates6gProtein34gFat30gSaturated Fat12gSodium1040mgSugar4g
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions: For a lighter version, you can use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon. Swap out the cheddar cheese for mozzarella or pepper jack for a different flavor profile. Optional Variations: Add jalapeños for a spicy twist or some pineapple chunks for a hint of sweetness that complements the barbecue sauce. Storage and Reheating Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or use the microwave for a quick meal.
