Description
Hearty Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken, a flavor-packed dish with smoky BBQ, crispy bacon, and gooey cheddar. Easy weeknight comfort food!
Ingredients
Scale
- Chicken & Bacon Base:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- Flavorful Sauce & Cheese:
- 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- Essential Seasonings:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Garnish & Optional Toppings:
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or chives, chopped
- Pickled jalapeños (optional)
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken:: First things first, let’s get that chicken golden. I usually pat my boneless, skinless chicken breasts really dry with a paper towel – this is where the magic of a good sear begins, trust me! Then, a little olive oil in a hot skillet, and in they go. I listen for that satisfying sizzle; it tells me the pan is ready. Cook them for about 4-5 minutes per side, until they’re beautifully browned and almost cooked through. This step locks in so much flavor for our Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken, and honestly, the smell is already making my stomach rumble!
- Crisp Up the Bacon:: While the chicken is doing its thing, I chop up my bacon into bite-sized pieces. Then, into a separate skillet (or the same one after the chicken, if you’re a one-pan wonder like me, just drain some fat!) it goes. Cook it until it’s wonderfully crispy. This is where I always remind myself not to walk away, because that perfect crisp can turn to charcoal in a blink – I’ve had my share of oops moments here! Once it’s done, I scoop it out with a slotted spoon and let it drain on some paper towels. Keep that bacon fat in the pan, though; we’re going to use it for flavor!
- Sauté Aromatics & Build Flavor:: Using that glorious bacon fat still in the pan, I toss in my finely diced red onion. Oh, the smell! It’s just heavenly as it softens. I let it cook down for a few minutes until it’s translucent and sweet. Then, I pour in my favorite BBQ sauce. Stir it all together, letting it warm through and thicken slightly. This forms the delicious base for our Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken, and you can already tell it’s going to be packed with flavor. Don’t be shy; give it a little taste and adjust to your liking!
- Assemble the Skillet:: Now for the fun part: assembly! I nestle those seared chicken breasts back into the skillet with the bubbling BBQ sauce. Make sure each piece is nicely coated. Then, I generously sprinkle the crispy bacon all over the top of the chicken. This step always feels like I’m building a little flavor fortress. I sometimes get a bit messy, with bacon bits flying everywhere, but that’s just part of the kitchen chaos, right? It’s all about layering those incredible flavors for our Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken.
- Melt That Cheese:: Next up, the star of the show: cheese! I heap a generous amount of sharp cheddar cheese over the bacon and chicken. Seriously, don’t be shy here; the more, the merrier, in my opinion. I usually put the lid on the skillet or pop it under the broiler for a couple of minutes until that cheese is gloriously melted and bubbly. The sight of that golden, gooey goodness just makes my heart happy. Keep a close eye on it under the broiler, though; cheese burns fast, and I’ve learned that the hard way!
- Garnish & Serve Your Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken:: Once the cheese is perfectly melted and slightly browned in spots, I pull the skillet from the heat. The whole kitchen smells incredible at this point! I love to finish this Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or chives. It adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note that really brightens up the rich flavors. Let it rest for just a minute or two before serving, then dive in! It’s truly a hearty, satisfying meal that always hits the spot.