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Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken

Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
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This Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken recipe combines smoky BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese over juicy chicken breasts. Perfectly seasoned and easy to prepare, this hearty dish is ideal for quick weeknights or weekend BBQs, delivering bold flavors and satisfying protein in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (smoky or sweet variety)
  • 6–8 strips bacon
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or reserved bacon fat)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure even searing. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to create a flavorful base.
  2. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon strips until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Reserve some bacon fat for extra flavor when cooking the chicken, if desired.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil or reserved bacon fat in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and nearly cooked through.
  4. Add BBQ Sauce and Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Spoon a generous amount of BBQ sauce over each chicken breast, then top with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Cover the skillet with a lid to allow the cheese to melt and flavors to meld, about 3-5 minutes.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for a couple of minutes to redistribute the juices. Serve garnished with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

  • Choose a quality BBQ sauce with balanced sweetness and smokiness to elevate the dish.
  • Use a meat thermometer and remove chicken at 160°F; it will finish cooking while resting to ensure juiciness.
  • Cover the pan when melting cheese to trap heat and achieve even melting without burning.
  • Use thick-cut bacon for better texture and crunch.
  • Prep ingredients like crumbling bacon and shredding cheddar ahead to streamline cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ chicken, bacon cheddar chicken, smoky chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, cowboy chicken, BBQ chicken breast

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/cowboy-bbq-bacon-cheddar-chicken/