Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken

Short Catchy Intro

So you want big flavor but zero drama in the kitchen. Good call. This Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken gives you crispy seared chicken, sticky barbecue sauce, melty cheddar, and bacon that snaps back at you when you try to behave. It feels fancy but tastes like a backyard party in your mouth.

If you like cheesy bacon things that make you grin, you might also enjoy this cheesy chicken bacon pasta recipe for when you need comfort food but also need it fast.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Because life is short and food should be loud. This recipe does everything well without demanding a culinary degree or three hours of your attention. It gives you texture, sweet tang, and salty bacon hits all on one plate. It is also idiot proof in a charming way since searing then finishing in the oven keeps the chicken juicy and the toppings perfect.

Plus you get instant popularity at dinner time. Want to impress without sweating? This is your secret weapon.

Ingredients Youll Need

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil because plants are classy
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder for obvious reasons
• 1 teaspoon onion powder for extra depth
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika for that campfire vibe
• 1/2 teaspoon salt keep it simple
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper because life needs a twang
• 8 slices bacon because bacon solves many problems
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese the melty kind please
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce any favorite bottle will do
• 1/4 cup green onions chopped for color and crunch
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional if you like to feel alive

Step by Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 F 200 C. Keep the oven ready so nothing cries later.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until it becomes crispy about 5 7 minutes. Watch closely because bacon moves fast.
3. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess grease. Let it chill out for a few minutes.
4. Once the bacon has cooled crumble it into small pieces and set it aside. Bite one piece if you must for quality control.
5. Rub both sides of each chicken breast with olive oil. Make sure each piece gets love.
6. Sprinkle garlic powder onion powder smoked paprika salt and black pepper evenly over both sides of each chicken breast. Press the rub in with your fingers.
7. Place a large oven safe skillet on medium high heat and heat until hot. Use a skillet that can go from stove to oven like a boss.
8. 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. Do not move them too much. Let the crust form.
9. While the chicken is cooking chop the green onions and prepare the barbecue sauce so you arent scrambling later.
10. Once the chicken is seared reduce the heat to medium and pour the barbecue sauce evenly over the chicken breasts. Be generous but controlled.
11. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the barbecue sauce covered chicken breasts. Let the cheese get cozy.
12. Crumble the cooked bacon over the cheese for that smoky salty crunch. Save a few crumbs for garnish if you are fancy.
13. 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. Use a thermometer if you are serious about safety. 165 F is the magic number.
14. Once the chicken is done remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the chopped green onions on top. Freshness incoming.
15. If desired sprinkle red pepper flakes over the chicken for a bit of extra heat. A pinch will do if you are timid.
16. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving so the juices settle and your dignity remains intact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the sear because you want shortcuts. The sear makes the crust and seals flavor. Dont skip it.
• Crowding the pan and steaming the chicken instead of searing it. Give each breast space to party.
• Using low heat and calling it patience. You want hot and fast for the crust then finish in the oven.
• Adding cheese too early and burning it into a sad crispy disc. Wait until it can melt, not become charcoal.
• Forgetting to rest the chicken and losing all those glorious juices. Rest like its important because it is.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No bacon handy Try prosciutto slices for a slightly salty tender swap. I wont judge your improvisation.
• No cheddar Use Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a creamier or spicier spin. Both play nicely with BBQ.
• Want less sugar in the sauce Try a low sugar or mustard based barbecue sauce for tang without the syrupy sweetness.
• Chicken breasts too thick Cut them in half horizontally for even cooking or pound them gently. I prefer even cooking every time.
• Not into spicy Skip the red pepper flakes or add a few dashes of hot sauce at the table for control. Personalize that heat.

FAQ

Q. Can I use frozen chicken breasts
A. You could but do not. Thaw fully for even cooking. Frozen will steam and ruin the crust and your hopes.

Q. Can I make this ahead of time and reheat it
A. Yes you can. Reheat gently in a 350 F oven covered with foil until warm so the cheese doesnt go weird. It wont be quite the same but still glorious.

Q. Can I grill this instead of using a skillet and oven
A. Absolutely. Sear on the grill then finish over indirect heat with the BBQ sauce and cheese on top. Watch those bacon bits. They can flare up.

Q. Is there a dairy free option
A. Use dairy free cheese and skip cheese if needed. The BBQ and bacon still carry the dish so you will survive.

Q. Can I use thighs instead of breasts
A. Yes thighs work great and stay juicy. Adjust cooking time since thighs cook differently. Boneless skinless thighs are forgiving.

Q. How do I know when chicken is done
A. Use an instant read thermometer and aim for 165 F in the thickest part. If you do the poke test make sure you know your pokes.

Q. Can I halve the recipe for two people
A. For sure. Everything scales down neatly so you can avoid leftovers if that is your aim.

Final Thoughts

This Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken is one of those meals that makes people talk louder at the table and ask for seconds. It gives you comfort and showmanship without fuss. Sear for texture finish in the oven for perfect doneness and never skimp on bacon unless you are trying to make a point.

Now go impress someone or just wow yourself. You earned a tasty victory tonight.

Conclusion

If you like comparing versions of similar dishes check out this Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken recipe from Modern Honey for a slightly different angle and extra photos. For another approachable take look at this Chicken with Bacon and Cheese over at Easy Family Recipes which plays with cheesy comfort food rules. If you want a classic community tested approach see the Barbecue Bacon Cheddar Chicken recipe on Food com for more tweaks and tips.

Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 45
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: None

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Description

Juicy seared chicken topped with crispy bacon, melty cheddar, and sticky barbecue sauce for a backyard party in your mouth.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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)

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy (about 5-7 minutes).
3. Remove bacon and place on a paper towel to drain. Crumble and set aside.
4. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
5. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add the seasoned chicken breasts. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
6. Reduce heat to medium and pour barbecue sauce over chicken breasts.
7. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the barbecue sauce.
8. Crumble cooked bacon over the cheese.
9. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked (165°F).
10. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped green onions and optional red pepper flakes.
11. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For an extra kick, adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preference.

• Prep Time: 15
• Cook Time: 30
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 135mg

Keywords: chicken, barbecue, bacon, cheddar, easy recipe