introduction
This Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken is a simple, tasty dish. It has seared chicken, smoky bacon, melty cheddar, and tangy barbecue sauce. You can make it in one skillet and finish it in the oven.
why make this recipe
Make this recipe when you want a quick, comforting meal. It has familiar flavors that most people like — bacon, cheese, and BBQ. It cooks fast and looks great for family dinners or small gatherings.
how to make Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
You sear seasoned chicken, add barbecue sauce and cheese, top with crumbled bacon, then bake until the cheese melts and the chicken is cooked through. Finish with green onions and red pepper flakes if you like heat.
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, about 5–7 minutes.
- Remove the bacon and place it on paper towels to drain.
- Once the bacon has cooled, crumble it into small pieces and set 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 until they get a golden-brown crust.
- While the chicken cooks, chop the green onions and get the barbecue sauce ready.
- 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.
- Crumble the cooked bacon over the cheese.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the chopped green onions on top.
- If you like, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the chicken for extra heat.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.
how to serve Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
Serve hot from the skillet. Good sides are mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, corn on the cob, or a simple green salad. You can also serve it on toasted buns for a hearty sandwich. Add extra barbecue sauce on the side.
how to store Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
Cool the chicken to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 325°F (160°C) until warm, or microwave in short bursts. You can freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge before reheating.
tips to make Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
- Pound chicken to even thickness so it cooks evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer; chicken is done at 165°F (74°C).
- Cook bacon until crisp for best texture.
- Use an oven-safe skillet so you can move from stove to oven easily.
- Let the chicken rest a few minutes before serving to keep it juicy.
variation (if any)
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for richer flavor.
- Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or pepper jack for more spice.
- Add sliced jalapeños or pickled onions for extra kick.
- Use smoked or sweet barbecue sauce to change the flavor profile.
- Serve over a baked potato or on a roll for sandwiches.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Thaw it fully in the fridge before cooking. Frozen chicken takes longer and won’t sear properly.
Q: Can I make this without bacon?
A: Yes. Skip the bacon or use a vegetarian bacon alternative. You can also add extra cheese or crispy onions.
Q: How do I know the chicken is cooked through?
A: Use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should read 165°F (74°C).
Q: Can I prepare this ahead of time?
A: You can cook the bacon and chop the green onions ahead. Assemble and bake when ready to serve, or fully cook and reheat when needed.
Conclusion
For a similar take on this dish, you can check Modern Honey’s Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken recipe for more photos and tips. If you want another simple version, see the Cheesy Bacon BBQ Chicken on Easy Family Recipes. For a classic community-shared recipe, look at the Barbecue Bacon Cheddar Chicken on Food.com.
Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces 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 Cook until crispy
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Can substitute with Monterey Jack or pepper jack
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce Choose a preferred flavor
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped For garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) For an extra kick
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until it becomes crispy, about 5–7 minutes.
- Remove the bacon and place it on paper towels to drain.
- Once the bacon has cooled, crumble it into small pieces and set 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.
Cooking
- 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 until they get a golden-brown crust.
- While the chicken cooks, chop the green onions and get the barbecue sauce ready.
- 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.
- Crumble the cooked bacon over the cheese.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the chopped green onions on top.
- If you like, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the chicken for extra heat.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.
