Description

This Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken is the ultimate comfort food—juicy, tender chicken breasts seasoned with smoky spices, smothered in BBQ sauce, topped with crispy turkey bacon and melted cheddar, then finished with fresh green onions. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or backyard-style BBQ flavor at home.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

8 slices turkey bacon

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1/4 cup green onions, chopped

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Instructions

1. Cook turkey bacon until crispy, then crumble. Set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or preheat grill to medium heat.

3. Pat chicken breasts dry and brush both sides with olive oil.

4. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season chicken on both sides.

5. Oven: Place chicken in a baking dish and bake 18–22 minutes until nearly cooked through. Grill: Grill 5–6 minutes per side until nearly done.

6. Brush chicken generously with barbecue sauce.

7. Top each chicken breast with crumbled turkey bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.

8. Return to oven/grill 5–7 minutes until cheese is melted and chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.

9. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Notes

No-pork swap: use turkey bacon (recommended) or beef bacon.

Kid-friendly: omit red pepper flakes and choose a mild BBQ sauce.

Cheese options: Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella.

Storage: refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in an airtight container; reheat gently until warmed through.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baked or Grilled
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
Calories: 420
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 820 mg
Fat: 24 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 125 mg