why make this recipe
Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken is a delicious and hearty dish that will please anyone at your dinner table. The combination of juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and melty cheddar cheese topped with barbecue sauce creates an explosion of flavors. It’s simple to prepare and works well for family gatherings, weekend dinners, or even meal prep for the week ahead. The best part? It only takes a little time to make, but it’s sure to impress!
how to make Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
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)
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until it becomes crispy, which should take around 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess grease.
- Once the bacon has cooled, crumble it into small pieces and set it aside.
- Rub both sides of each chicken breast with olive oil.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper evenly over both sides of each chicken breast.
- Place a large oven-safe skillet on medium-high heat and heat until hot.
- Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- While the chicken is cooking, chop the green onions and prepare the barbecue sauce.
- Once the chicken is seared, reduce the heat to medium and pour the barbecue sauce evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the barbecue sauce-covered chicken breasts.
- Crumble the cooked bacon over the cheese.
- Transfer the skillet with the chicken to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once the chicken is done, remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the chopped green onions on top.
- If desired, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the chicken for a bit of extra heat.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.
how to serve Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
Serve Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken with your favorite side dishes. It goes well with mashed potatoes, rice, corn, or a fresh salad. Don’t forget to drizzle a little extra barbecue sauce over the top for added flavor!
how to store Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
To store leftovers, place the chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate. It can last up to 3-4 days in the fridge. To reheat, simply use the microwave or an oven until warmed through.
tips to make Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
- Make sure to cook the bacon until crispy; this adds great texture to the dish.
- Feel free to customize the spices to your liking—add more paprika if you enjoy a smoky flavor!
- For extra juiciness, marinate the chicken for a few hours before cooking.
variation
You can add different toppings like jalapeños for spice or use other types of cheese such as pepper jack or mozzarella for a twist on flavor.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs work great! Just adjust the cooking time as thighs may take longer.
2. Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the chicken and toppings ahead, then bake it just before serving.
3. What if I don’t like barbecue sauce?
You can substitute barbecue sauce with buffalo sauce or even a creamy ranch sauce for a different flavor.
Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- 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 bacon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
- Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil on both sides.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over both sides of chicken.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, heat over medium-high and add the seasoned chicken breasts.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Pour barbecue sauce over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Crumble the cooked bacon over the cheese.
- Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped green onions and add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, corn, or a fresh salad, and drizzle extra barbecue sauce on top.