Chicken, Bacon, Cheese: A Tasty Trio

how to cook chicken bacon and cheese

Chicken, bacon, and cheese is a delicious combination that can be cooked in a variety of ways. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a hearty dinner to impress, this trio of ingredients is a great choice. This dish can be made in a skillet, oven, or slow cooker, and can be customised with different cheeses, seasonings, and sauces to suit your taste. With a short list of simple ingredients and a variety of cooking methods, this meal is a versatile option that can be tailored to your preferences.

Characteristics Values
Ingredients Chicken, Bacon, Cheese, Salt, Pepper, Spinach, Sun-dried tomatoes, Cream Cheese, Garlic Powder, Barbecue Sauce, Ranch Dressing
Recipe Steps Preheat oven, Season chicken, Top with cheese, Bake, Top with bacon, Serve
Cooking Time 20-40 minutes
Cooking Temperature 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit
Nutrition High protein, Low carb, High fat, Gluten-free
Diet Keto-friendly

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Chicken, bacon, and cheese in a slow cooker

Chicken, bacon, and cheese cooked in a slow cooker is a delicious and fulfilling meal that can feed a family. It is also a keto-friendly option for those on a low-carb diet. Here is a step-by-step guide to making this tasty dish:

Firstly, season the chicken with salt and pepper, and other seasonings like poultry seasoning, rosemary, thyme, and garlic cloves, if desired. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs for this recipe.

Next, grease your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or bacon grease. Place the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker and pour chicken broth over it. You can also add cooked onions and garlic on top of the chicken for extra flavour.

Now, it's time to add the bacon. Cook the bacon in a skillet or oven until crispy, and then crumble it over the chicken mixture. You can also add the uncooked bacon directly to the slow cooker, but it is recommended to precook it.

Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken and bacon mixture. You can cook it on low heat for 6 hours or on high heat for 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on your preference.

Once the chicken is cooked, it's time to add the cheese. Shred the chicken using two forks directly in the slow cooker. Add heavy whipping cream and cream cheese, and stir to combine all the ingredients. You can also add some ranch dressing mix or alfredo sauce at this stage for extra flavour. Then, sprinkle cheddar cheese (or a mix of Colby and Monterey Jack cheese) over the shredded chicken and bacon mixture.

Finally, cover the slow cooker again and let the cheese melt. You can garnish with parsley, chives, or green onions, and serve over rice, pasta, baked potato, or sandwich rolls. Enjoy your tasty creation!

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Chicken breasts with ranch seasoning

Ingredients

To make chicken breasts with ranch seasoning, you will need the following ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Ranch seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • Cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or any melty cheese of your preference)
  • Bacon
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional: garlic salt, garlic powder, barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce, green chiles, salsa, taco seasoning, or any other seasonings of your choice

Preparation

Start by preheating your oven to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on your oven's settings and the desired cooking time. Grease a casserole dish or baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.

Next, prepare the chicken breasts by seasoning them generously with salt and pepper on both sides. If you prefer, you can also use garlic salt or a combination of garlic powder and mineral salt. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.

Cooking the Bacon

Cook the bacon separately before adding it to the chicken. You can fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat for about 8 minutes, flipping it once, until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Alternatively, you can cook it under a broiler for a few minutes. Drain the excess bacon fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the skillet, and use this to add extra flavour to your chicken.

Adding the Ranch and Cheese

Now, it's time to add the ranch flavour! You can spread ranch dressing directly on the chicken breasts or sprinkle them with ranch seasoning. For an extra indulgent touch, you can use both!

Top the chicken breasts with your chosen cheese. Mozzarella and cheddar are popular choices, but feel free to experiment with other melty cheeses that pair well with the ranch flavour.

Baking and Serving

Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and slightly crispy. The exact baking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts and your oven's temperature, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Once it's cooked, let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. This chicken dish goes well with a variety of sides, including roasted vegetables like asparagus, carrots, broccoli, or green beans, mashed or scalloped potatoes, and flavoured rice.

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to make this dish your own! You can also try using chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken thighs, adjusting the cooking time accordingly. Enjoy your cheesy, bacony, ranch-flavoured creation!

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Chicken with cheddar cheese and garlic salt

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Bacon
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Garlic salt
  • Butter
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Smoked paprika

Method:

Firstly, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, grab a 2-quart or 9x13 baking dish and spray it with cooking spray. If you want your bacon to be crispy, fry it separately in a pan before adding it to the baking dish. Next, lay the chicken breasts in the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle the chicken with bacon, cheddar cheese, and garlic salt. If you don't have garlic salt, you can use garlic powder and a sprinkle of mineral salt instead.

For an extra crunchy topping, mix melted butter and breadcrumbs in a small bowl and spread this over the chicken before sprinkling with cheese. You could also add some extra ingredients to your dish, such as mushrooms or onion slices, to add even more flavour.

Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear. You can also check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer—it should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be fully cooked.

This dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal and can be paired with any sides of your choice. Enjoy!

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Chicken with BBQ sauce and bacon

This recipe is a quick and easy dinner idea that takes around 30 minutes to cook. It involves wrapping chicken breasts in bacon and baking them with barbeque sauce.

Ingredients

  • Chicken Breasts
  • Bacon
  • BBQ Sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, colby jack, mild cheddar or even Mexican blend)
  • Green Onions (optional)

Method

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat a grill pan on the stove top. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and smoked paprika on both sides of the chicken breasts. Place the chicken into the pan and cook for around three minutes on each side. Place the chicken in a casserole dish. Spread BBQ sauce on each breast and top with cheese. Sprinkle with bacon and cook for another 5-10 minutes or until cooked through. Top with some chopped fresh cilantro and allow to rest.

Tips

  • You can also add small chunks of pineapple between the BBQ sauce and the cheese for a sweet and savory twist.
  • For a gluten-free option, top the chicken breasts with ranch seasoning and mozzarella cheese before sprinkling with bacon.
  • If your bacon is not crispy enough before putting the dish in the oven, fry it separately or place it under the broiler for a few minutes.

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Chicken with cream cheese and bacon

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Cream cheese
  • Bacon
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Green onions (optional)

Method:

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place a wire rack inside a baking dish.
  • Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
  • In a bowl, mix together cream cheese and green onions (if using).
  • Spread the cream cheese mixture over each chicken breast.
  • Wrap each chicken breast with bacon. You can use 4 slices per breast or place 3 slices on top to ensure crispiness.
  • Place the wrapped chicken on the wire rack in the baking dish.
  • Bake in the oven for about 1 hour, or until the bacon is browned and the chicken is cooked through.

Variations and Tips:

  • You can add other ingredients such as cooked spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mashed potatoes.
  • If you prefer crispier bacon, cook it separately in a pan or under the broiler before adding it to the chicken.
  • For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free ingredients and avoid flour and grains.
  • To make it keto-friendly, use ingredients that are low-carb and high-fat.
  • Adjust the baking time depending on the thickness and cut of the chicken breasts.
  • Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving.
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Frequently asked questions

Preheat your oven to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a casserole dish with olive oil and place your chicken breasts inside. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and smoked paprika. Bake for 3-6 minutes, then spread BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic salt on each breast, followed by cheese and bacon. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Preheat your grill pan to high heat. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and smoked paprika on each side of the chicken breasts and place them in the pan. Cook for 3 minutes on each side, then transfer the chicken to a casserole dish. Add BBQ sauce, followed by cheese and bacon. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some side dishes that go well with chicken, bacon, and cheese include cooked spinach, roasted asparagus, green beans, cooked broccoli, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, and flavored rice.

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