Description
Hearty Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken. Tangy BBQ, crispy bacon, melted cheddar a flavor explosion! Easy weeknight dinner recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Players:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), sliced into cutlets
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1 cup smoky BBQ sauce (your favorite)
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- Flavor Powerhouses:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- The Cheesy Toppers & Finishing Touches:
- 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped (for garnish, optional)
- Optional Extras:
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (for extra depth in BBQ sauce)
- A dash of your favorite hot sauce (for a little kick)
Instructions
- Crispy Bacon & Sautéed Aromatics: First things first, get that bacon sizzling! In a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron is my absolute favorite here), cook your thick-cut bacon over medium heat until it’s gloriously crispy. This usually takes me about 8-10 minutes. Remove the bacon, but leave about a tablespoon of that delicious bacon fat in the pan—we’re using that for flavor, baby! Now, toss in your chopped red onion and let it soften in the bacon fat for about 5 minutes until it’s fragrant and translucent. Oh, the smells already, right? Don’t forget to drain your bacon on a paper towel-lined plate; nobody likes soggy bacon.
- Searing the Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken: Push those softened onions to the side of the pan. Now, pat your chicken cutlets dry with paper towels (this is super important for a good sear!) and season them generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Place the seasoned chicken into the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You might need to do this in batches. Sear for about 3-4 minutes per side, just until they’re golden brown and mostly cooked through. I always make the mistake of trying to flip too early, just let it develop that gorgeous crust!
- Sauce Up the Chicken: Once your chicken is beautifully seared, reduce the heat to low. Pour your favorite BBQ sauce generously over each chicken cutlet, making sure they’re nicely coated. This is where the magic really starts happening for our Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken. The sauce will start to warm and thicken slightly, creating this amazing aroma that fills your kitchen. I sometimes add a splash of water or chicken broth if my sauce is too thick, just to get it spreadable. Don’t be shy with the sauce, it’s a key player here!
- Bring on the Bacon & Cheese: Now for the fun part! Crumble your crispy bacon over the sauced chicken. Then, pile that glorious shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top of each piece of chicken. Make sure every cutlet gets a good, generous blanket of cheese and bacon. Honestly, this is where my kitchen gets a little messy, but it’s worth it! You want a good amount of cheese so it melts into a gooey, bubbly dream. It’s okay if some cheese spills into the sauce; it just makes it even better!
- Bake to Perfection: Carefully transfer your skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges. Keep an eye on it! The smell is going to be absolutely incredible, a mix of smoky BBQ and rich, melted cheese. This is where everything comes together for our Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken. Don’t rush this step; let that cheese get perfectly gooey!
- Serve It Up, Cowboy Style!: Once that cheesy, bubbly masterpiece is out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes. This lets the juices redistribute and prevents you from burning your tongue on piping hot cheese (speaking from experience, oops!). Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chives, if you’re feeling fancy. Serve immediately and watch those smiles appear! It’s hearty, it’s flavorful, and it’s a dish that just feels like home. Enjoy your homemade Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken, my friend!