Description
Baked Crack Chicken features tender chicken breasts topped with a creamy, flavorful ranch cream cheese mixture and crispy bacon. It’s the perfect combination of savory and creamy, sure to become a favorite in your dinner rotation.
Ingredients
For the Bacon:
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4 slices thick cut bacon, diced
For the Chicken:
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1 tablespoon vegetable oil
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1 tablespoon butter
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total), pounded to ¼-inch thickness
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Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
For the Ranch Cream Cheese:
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4 ounces cream cheese, softened
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¼ teaspoon garlic powder
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¼ teaspoon onion powder
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¼ teaspoon dried dill weed
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½ teaspoon dried chives
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4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (white or yellow, or a mix of both)
For Garnish:
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Chopped fresh parsley
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Sliced green scallions
Instructions
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Cook the Bacon:
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In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
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Prepare the Chicken:
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
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In the same skillet, heat the vegetable oil and butter over medium-high heat.
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Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
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Sear the chicken breasts in the skillet for 2–3 minutes on each side until browned. You don’t need to cook them all the way through; they will finish baking in the oven.
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Prepare the Ranch Cream Cheese:
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In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, chives, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until smooth.
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Assemble the Dish:
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Place the seared chicken breasts in a baking dish.
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Spread a generous layer of the ranch cream cheese mixture over each chicken breast.
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Sprinkle the cooked bacon on top of the cream cheese layer.
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Bake the Chicken:
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Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
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Garnish and Serve:
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Once the chicken is done, remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and sliced green scallions.
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Notes
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For extra flavor, you can add a drizzle of ranch dressing over the finished chicken.
- This dish pairs well with a side of roasted vegetables or a simple salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Pan-searing
- Cuisine: American