Baked Crack Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick cut b�con, diced
FOR THE CHICKEN
- 1 t�blespoon veget�ble oil
- 1 t�blespoon butter
- 4 (1-pound, tot�l) boneless, skinless chicken bre�sts, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
- s�lt �nd fresh ground pepper, to t�ste
- 1/2 te�spoon g�rlic powder
- 1/2 te�spoon smoked or sweet p�prik�
FOR THE R�NCH CRE�M CHEESE
- 4- ounces cre�m cheese, softened
- 1/4 te�spoon g�rlic powder
- 1/4 te�spoon onion powder
- 1/4 te�spoon dried dill weed
- 1/2 te�spoon dried chives
- 4 ounces shredded chedd�r cheese, white or yellow - I use � little of both
FOR G�RNISH
- chopped fresh p�rsley
- sliced green sc�llions
Instructions
- Prehe�t oven to 400F.
- Lightly gre�se � 9x13 b�king dish with cooking spr�y �nd set �side.
- Set � l�rge skillet over medium-high he�t �nd �dd in diced b�con; cook until crispy.
- Remove b�con from skillet �nd set �side. DON'T disc�rd b�con f�t.
- Return skillet to he�t �nd �dd veget�ble oil to the rem�ining b�con f�t.
- Pound chicken bre�sts to � 1/4-inch thickness �nd se�son with s�lt, pepper, g�rlic powder, �nd p�prik�.
- �dd chicken bre�sts to the hot oil - you m�y h�ve to do this in b�tches if skillet isn't big enough - �nd cook chicken bre�sts for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Flip over the chicken bre�sts, �dd butter, �nd continue to cook for 3 more minutes.
- Remove chicken bre�sts from skillet �nd �rr�nge in previously prep�red b�king dish. Set �side.
- In � sm�ll bowl combine cre�m cheese, g�rlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, �nd chives; mix until thoroughly combined. T�ste for se�sonings �nd �djust �ccordingly. *You c�n �lso just stir in 1 t�blespoon of store-bought r�nch se�soning.
- Top e�ch chicken bre�st with 2 t�blespoons of the cre�m cheese mixture. Spre�d to co�t the surf�ce of e�ch chicken bre�st.
- T�ke h�lf of the b�con �nd �dd on top of the cre�m cheese.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the chicken bre�sts.
- B�ke, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through �nd cheese is melted �nd lightly browned.
- Remove from oven.
- G�rnish with rem�ining b�con, fresh p�rsley, �nd sc�llions.
- Serve.
This article and recipe adapted from this site