Baked Crack Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 slices Thick-cut bacon (Diced; reserve half for garnish)
• 2 tbsp Butter (Used in two additions of 1 tbsp)
• 9 oz Chicken breasts (Boneless and skinless)
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder (For seasoning the chicken)
• 0.5 tsp Onion powder (For seasoning the chicken)
• 0.5 tsp Paprika (For seasoning the chicken)
• Salt (To taste; additional salt over the top is optional)
• Black pepper (To taste; additional black pepper over the top is optional)
• 0.5 cup Cream cheese (Combine with the cream-cheese seasonings)
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder (For the cream-cheese mixture)
• 0.5 tsp Onion powder (For the cream-cheese mixture)
• 0.25 tsp Dried dill (For the cream-cheese mixture)
• 0.5 tsp Dried chives (For the cream-cheese mixture)
• 0.5 cup Cheddar cheese (Shredded)
• Fresh dill (Chopped, for garnish)
• Green onion (Chopped, for garnish)
• Cooking spray (For greasing the 9×13-inch baking dish)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400°F (about 200°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

2. 2

   Pound the chicken breasts to about ¼–½ inch thick. To prevent splashing, wrap the chicken in cling film before pounding.

3. 3

   Season the chicken with the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the seasonings over the chicken and set it aside.

4. 4

   Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the diced bacon until crispy.

5. 5

   Remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.

6. 6

   Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan with the bacon fat. Add the chicken breasts and cook on one side for 2–3 minutes, until browned.

7. 7

   Flip the chicken breasts, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, and cook the other side for about 2–3 minutes, until browned.

8. 8

   Remove the chicken from the frying pan, transfer it to the prepared baking dish, and set it aside.

9. 9

   In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, and dried chives.

10. 10

    Top each chicken breast with about 2 tablespoons of the cream-cheese mixture and spread it evenly over the surface.

11. 11

    Sprinkle half of the diced bacon over the chicken breasts.

12. 12

    Sprinkle the chicken with shredded cheddar. Bake for 15–17 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese has slightly browned on top.

13. 13

    Garnish with the remaining bacon, chopped fresh dill, and chopped green onion. Add more salt and black pepper over the top if desired.

Notes

The source suggests pairing with quinoa as a carb-rich side. No internal temperature is specified in the recipe instructions.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• dinner
• keto
• low-carb
• high-protein
• gluten-free
• baked
• weeknight