why make this recipe
Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken is a crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner that brings together smoky barbecue, crispy bacon, and melty cheddar over juicy seared chicken. It’s fast to pull together, uses simple pantry spices, and delivers bold flavors that feel special without a lot of fuss.
introduction
This dish layers familiar, comforting ingredients—barbecue sauce, bacon, and cheddar—on seasoned, pan-seared chicken breasts, finished in the oven until the cheese bubbles and the flavors meld. It’s perfect for busy nights, casual gatherings, or anytime you want a hearty, flavorful entree that many people will love.
how to make Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
Start by seasoning and searing the chicken to build a golden crust, then top it with barbecue sauce, shredded cheddar, and crumbled bacon before finishing in the oven. The method balances quick stovetop cooking for color with a short bake to finish cooking the breasts through and melt the cheese. Fresh green onions and optional red pepper flakes add brightness and a touch of heat at the end.
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, which should take around 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess grease.
- Once the bacon has cooled, crumble it into small pieces and set it 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, or until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- While the chicken is cooking, chop the green onions and prepare the barbecue sauce.
- 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 breasts.
- Crumble the cooked bacon over the cheese.
- Transfer the skillet with the chicken to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once the chicken is done, remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the chopped green onions on top.
- If desired, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the chicken for a bit of extra heat.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.
how to serve Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
Serve hot straight from the skillet or plated with a side of creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, or a simple green salad. It also pairs well with cornbread or warmed tortillas for a sandwich-style serving. Garnish with extra chopped green onions or a drizzle of additional barbecue sauce if desired.
how to store Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a 350°F oven until warmed through to keep the chicken from drying out, or microwave in short bursts covered with a damp paper towel. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
tips to make Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Use a good-quality barbecue sauce you enjoy—its flavor will come through.
- Don’t skip the sear; the browned crust adds both flavor and texture.
- If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the seared chicken to a baking dish before adding sauce, cheese, and bacon.
- For extra smoky flavor, use smoked cheddar or add a few drops of liquid smoke to the barbecue sauce.
variation (if any)
- Swap chicken breasts for bone-in thighs for more flavor and juiciness; adjust baking time accordingly.
- Replace cheddar with pepper jack for heat, or Swiss for a milder, creamier finish.
- Turn it into a casserole by slicing the cooked chicken and layering with cooked rice and extra barbecue sauce, then topping with cheese and bacon before broiling.
FAQ
Q: Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
A: Thaw completely before cooking for even searing and safe internal temperature.
Q: How can I reduce calories?
A: Use turkey bacon, reduced-fat cheddar, and brush or spray the chicken with oil instead of rubbing to reduce added fat.
Q: Is this recipe spicy?
A: Not unless you add the optional red pepper flakes or use a spicy barbecue sauce.
Conclusion
For a tested, flavor-packed weeknight dinner idea, consider trying the recipe inspiration shared on Modern Honey’s Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken for additional tips and variations.
Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove bacon and let it drain on paper towels, then crumble and set aside.
- Rub chicken breasts with olive oil and season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- In a hot oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add the seasoned chicken and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Reduce heat to medium, pour barbecue sauce over the chicken, sprinkle cheese, and crumble bacon on top.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onions and optional red pepper flakes before serving.
