Crack Chicken Creamy Bacon Bake (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Bacon
01 -
4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
→ Chicken
02 -
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 -
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
04 -
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (total 1.8 kg), pounded to 6 mm thickness
05 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
06 -
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
07 -
0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika or sweet paprika
→ Ranch Cream Cheese
08 -
115 g cream cheese, softened
09 -
0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
10 -
0.25 teaspoon onion powder
11 -
0.25 teaspoon dried dill weed
12 -
0.5 teaspoon dried chives
13 -
115 g shredded cheddar cheese (white or yellow, or a blend)
→ Garnish
14 -
Fresh parsley, chopped
15 -
Green scallions, sliced
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat the oven to 200°C and lightly grease a 23 x 33 cm baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
02 -
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced bacon and cook until crisp. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towel, reserving the rendered fat in the skillet.
03 -
Pound chicken breasts to a uniform 6 mm thickness. Season both sides with salt, freshly ground black pepper, 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder, and 0.5 teaspoon paprika.
04 -
Return skillet to heat. Add vegetable oil to the bacon fat. Working in batches if necessary, sear chicken breasts for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown on the bottom. Flip, add butter, and continue cooking for 2 minutes until browned.
05 -
Transfer seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish, arranging in a single layer.
06 -
In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, and dried chives. Mix until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 -
Spread 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture over each chicken breast. Sprinkle half of the cooked bacon evenly over the cream cheese layer.
08 -
Top chicken with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and lightly golden.
09 -
Remove baking dish from the oven. Garnish with remaining bacon, chopped parsley, and sliced green scallions. Serve immediately.
# Notes:
01 -
Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking.
02 -
Cream cheese mixture can be prepared in advance and refrigerated.