Tender, juicy chicken breasts smothered in crispy bacon, melted cheese, and a flavorful sauce. This easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner and is sure to be a family favorite.
Ingredients:
- Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Toppings:
- 6-8 slices of bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
- Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with the spice mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. You do not need to cook them all the way through at this point.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon:
- If you have not already, cook the bacon until crispy. Crumble the bacon and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet (no need to clean it), melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until lightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Add dijon mustard if desired.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until thickened.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them in the sauce.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the chicken.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese (if using).
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve hot with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.
Tips and Variations:
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mixture or a few dashes of hot sauce to the sauce.
- You can use different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or Colby Jack.
- Add sliced mushrooms or onions to the skillet when making the sauce for extra flavor.
- For a lower carb option, serve with cauliflower mash.
- To make this in a casserole dish, sear the chicken, make the sauce in a skillet, then pour the sauce into the casserole dish, add the chicken, bacon, and cheese, and bake.
- Make sure to not overcook the chicken, or it will become dry.