Description
Crack Chicken is a deliciously creamy, cheesy baked chicken dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a savory blend of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and crispy turkey bacon. Infused with ranch seasoning and herbs like dill and chives, this easy-to-make recipe delivers rich flavors and a satisfying texture perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Meat
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (pounded to ¼-inch thickness)
- 4 slices thick cut turkey bacon (diced)
Cheese and Dairy
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- Ranch seasoning mix (to taste)
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon)
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon)
- Dill weed (1 teaspoon)
- Chives (1 teaspoon)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13 baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the diced turkey bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, leaving the rendered fat for searing the chicken.
- Sear Chicken: Season the pounded chicken breasts with ranch seasoning mix. In the same skillet with the bacon fat, sear the chicken breasts on each side until they develop a golden brown crust but are not fully cooked through. Remove from heat.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese with garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, and chives. Mix well until smooth and evenly blended.
- Assemble Dish: Place the seared chicken breasts in the greased baking dish. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast. Sprinkle the cooked crispy bacon pieces over the cream cheese layer, then top everything with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake: Bake the assembled dish uncovered in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook evenly and remain juicy.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken is fully cooked for food safety.
- You can substitute turkey bacon with regular bacon if preferred.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of ranch seasoning to suit your taste.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
