Description
Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken is a flavorful and hearty dish featuring juicy chicken breasts seasoned with smoky spices, topped with crispy bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and tangy barbecue sauce. Finished with fresh green onions and a hint of red pepper flakes, this recipe offers a perfect balance of smoky, cheesy, and savory flavors, ideal for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 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
Bacon and Toppings
- 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)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the final dish.
- Cook Bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes, then remove and drain on paper towels.
- Crumble Bacon: Once cooled, crumble the bacon and set aside for topping the chicken later.
- Season Chicken: Rub chicken breasts with olive oil and evenly season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper for a flavorful base.
- Sear Chicken: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and cook the seasoned chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown, forming a flavorful crust.
- Add Sauce and Toppings: Reduce heat to medium, spoon barbecue sauce over each chicken breast, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon on top.
- Bake in Oven: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add Final Garnishes: Remove from oven and sprinkle the chicken with chopped green onions and optional red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
- Rest: Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and flavors to meld.
Notes
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, sear the chicken in a regular skillet and transfer to a baking dish before baking.
- You can substitute smoked paprika with regular paprika if desired, but smoked paprika adds a nice depth of flavor.
- For extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the barbecue sauce.
- Make sure to let the chicken rest after baking to keep it juicy and tender.
