Introduction

Crack Chicken is a deliciously creamy, cheesy baked chicken dish that’s loaded with smoky bacon and flavorful seasonings. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but comes together quickly.

A white oval dish holds three pieces of baked chicken covered with melted golden cheese that has browned spots, giving a crispy texture. The chicken pieces sit on a mix of finely chopped green vegetables and bits of cooked ham, adding green and pink colors scattered around and on top. Fresh chopped parsley adds small touches of bright green throughout, contrasting with the warm orange and pink tones. The edges of the dish show some browned cheese spilling over slightly. The surface under the dish is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 slices thick cut bacon, diced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total), pounded to ¼-inch thickness
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon dried dill weed
½ teaspoon dried chives
4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (white or yellow, or a mix)
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Sliced green scallions, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400˚F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside, keeping the bacon fat in the skillet.
Step 3: Add vegetable oil to the bacon fat in the skillet. Season the pounded chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Step 4: Cook the chicken breasts in the hot skillet (do this in batches if needed) for 2 to 3 minutes on one side until golden brown.
Step 5: Flip the chicken, add butter to the skillet, and cook for another 2 minutes or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and place in the baking dish.
Step 6: In a small bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill weed, and dried chives until smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 7: Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture over each chicken breast evenly.
Step 8: Sprinkle half of the cooked bacon over the cream cheese layer, then top each chicken breast with shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 9: Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Step 10: Remove from oven and garnish with the remaining bacon, chopped fresh parsley, and sliced green scallions before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra smoky flavor, use smoked paprika and add a dash of cayenne pepper if you like some heat.
You can substitute turkey bacon or omit bacon for a lighter version.
Try mixing in some cooked mushrooms or spinach into the cream cheese mixture for more veggies.
If you don’t have fresh scallions, finely chopped red onion or chives work well as a garnish.

Storage

Store leftover Crack Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat to keep the chicken moist and the cheese creamy.

How to Serve

The dish shows two thick, round patties covered with melted golden-yellow cheese melted unevenly over them. On top, there are small pieces of bright red diced tomatoes and green chopped herbs sprinkled across the surface adding fresh color. The patties sit close together in a white oval baking dish with some browned spots around the edges, showing baking marks. The texture looks creamy with a crisp top layer. A spoon is lifting one patty out of the dish, revealing the soft, melted inside beneath the cheesy topping. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used. They remain juicy and flavorful but may require a slightly longer cooking time.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this Crack Chicken recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free spices and ingredients.