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Baked Crack Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 129 reviews

Baked Crack Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts smothered in a creamy, herbed cream cheese mixture, topped with crispy bacon and melted cheddar cheese. This comforting oven-baked recipe combines easy stovetop searing and baking for a delicious, cheesy dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

Bacon

  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced

Chicken

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Cream Cheese Mixture

  • ½ cup cream cheese
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp dried dill
  • ½ tsp dried chives

Topping and Garnish

  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fresh dill, chopped (for garnish)
  • Green onion, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Pound the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between cling film and pound them to an even thickness of about ¼ to ½ inch using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This ensures even cooking.
  3. Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub this seasoning mix evenly over both sides of each chicken breast and set them aside.
  4. Cook the Bacon: Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until it becomes crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
  5. Sear the Chicken: Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan with the bacon fat. Place the chicken breasts in the pan and sear for 2-3 minutes on one side until browned. Flip the chicken, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes until browned.
  6. Transfer Chicken to Baking Dish: Remove the seared chicken breasts from the pan and place them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  7. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, and dried chives until smooth.
  8. Top Chicken with Cream Cheese: Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly over each chicken breast.
  9. Add Toppings: Sprinkle half of the cooked bacon pieces over the cream cheese-topped chicken, then evenly distribute the shredded cheddar cheese over each piece.
  10. Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
  11. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining bacon, fresh dill, and chopped green onion. Optionally, add more black pepper and salt to taste before serving.

Notes

  • Pounding the chicken ensures even cooking and tenderizes the meat.
  • Using thick-cut bacon adds a nice crispy texture and flavor complexity.
  • The cream cheese mixture can be modified with different herbs to your preference.
  • Make sure not to overbake the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
  • Serve with your favorite side dishes like steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

Keywords: baked crack chicken, creamy chicken, bacon chicken recipe, oven baked chicken, cheesy chicken breasts

Find it online: https://mixitwitjoe.com/baked-crack-chicken-recipe/