Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 30 mins | Servings: 4
Chicken is a staple at home. I have tried different chicken dishes and these baked crack chicken breasts are one of my family’s favorites! This is a delicious and creamy chicken dish packed with tons of cheese and bacon. Super good your picky eaters will surely devour this!
INGREDIENTS
4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
CHICKEN:
4 (1 lb., total) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4” thickness
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp smoked or sweet paprika
salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
RANCH CREAM CHEESE:
1/4 tsp garlic powder
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 tsp dried dill weed
1/4 tsp onion powder
4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese, white or yellow – I use a little of both
1/2 tsp dried chives
FOR GARNISH:
sliced green scallions
chopped fresh parsley
How to make Baked Crack Chicken Breasts
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 400 degrees F. Using cooking spray, lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Set aside.
Step 2: Add the diced bacon to a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook until crispy. Set the bacon aside when done, but DO NOT discard the bacon fat.
Step 3: In the same skillet, add the vegetable oil.
Step 4: To 1/4-inch thickness, pound the chicken breasts and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. To the hot oil, add the chicken breasts (in batches) and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Then, flip the chicken breasts. Add the butter to the skillet. Continue to cook the other side for another 3 minutes.
Step 5: Into the prepared baking dish, arrange the seared chicken breasts and set aside.
Step 6: Place the cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, and chives in a small bowl. Mix well until combined. Adjust the seasonings according to taste.
Step 7: On top of each chicken breast, add 2 tbsp of the cream cheese mixture and spread to coat. Then, place half of the bacon over the cream cheese and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Step 8: Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, uncovered, until the chicken is completely cooked and the cheese has melted and lightly browned.
Step 9: When done, take the baking dish out of the oven. Serve the baked crack chicken breasts right away with the rest of the bacon and garnish with fresh parsley and scallions. Enjoy!
NOTES:
WW FREESTYLE POINTS: 13
By using low-fat cheddar and light cream cheese, you can reduce the FREESTYLE POINTS DOWN TO 8 points.
TO FREEZE CRACKED CHICKEN:
Into a large freezer bag or airtight container, transfer the cooled, crack chicken and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Take the cracked chicken out of the freezer the night before and thaw it in the fridge.
The next day, reheat the cracked chicken and serve.
NUTRITION FACTS:
Serving: 6 ounces | Calories: 492 kcal | Carbohydrates: 2 g | Protein: 35 g | Fat: 37 g | Saturated Fat: 19 g | Cholesterol: 155 mg | Sodium: 570 mg | Potassium: 548 mg | Fiber: 0 g | Sugar: 1 g | Vitamin A: 1330 IU | Vitamin C: 5.4 mg | Calcium: 243 mg | Iron: 1 mg | Net Carbs: 2 g
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