Crack Chicken Recipe
This Crack Chicken recipe is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender pounded chicken breasts cooked with crispy bacon, a savory blend of spices, and a rich cheese sauce made from cream cheese and cheddar. It’s topped with fresh parsley and scallions for a burst of freshness, perfect for a comforting dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat
- 4 slices thick cut bacon, diced
- 4 (1-pound total) boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to ¼-inch thickness
Cooking Fats
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh ground pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
Cheese Mixture
- 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)
Garnishes
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Sliced green scallions
Instructions
- Prepare the bacon and cheese mixture. Dice the thick cut bacon and cook it in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, reserving the rendered fat in the pan. In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill weed, dried chives, and shredded cheddar cheese until well combined.
- Season the chicken breasts. Pound the chicken breasts to an even ¼-inch thickness for even cooking. Season both sides with salt, fresh ground pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika.
- Cook the chicken breasts. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet with the reserved bacon fat over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook each side for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, internal temperature reaching 165°F (74°C). Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm.
- Combine chicken with cheese mixture and bacon. Reduce heat to low. Return chicken to skillet, spread the cream cheese and cheddar mixture evenly on top of each breast. Sprinkle the crispy bacon pieces over the cheese mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook gently for 3-4 minutes until the cheese has melted and everything is warmed through.
- Garnish and serve. Remove the lid and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and sliced green scallions. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- For best results, use thick cut bacon for more texture and flavor.
- Pounding the chicken to ¼-inch thickness helps it cook evenly and quickly.
- You can substitute smoked paprika with sweet paprika if preferred.
- Use a mix of white and yellow cheddar for a balanced flavor and color.
- Leftovers keep well and can be reheated in a skillet or microwave.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Keywords: crack chicken, creamy chicken recipe, bacon chicken, cheese chicken dish, easy stovetop chicken
Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/crack-chicken-recipe/
