Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken

This Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken is a hearty, family-approved dinner that combines smoky BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and melty cheddar over juicy chicken breasts. Simple, satisfying, and irresistibly flavorful it’s the kind of recipe that brings everyone to the table with a smile.

Print Pin

Course: dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked chicken with BBQ sauce, cheesy bacon chicken, Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken, easy weeknight chicken recipe, family dinner chicken recipe

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 35

Resting Time: 5

Total Time: 55

Servings: chicken breast

Calories: 480kcal

Cost: $12.00

Equipment

1 9x13 inch baking dish To layer and bake the chicken with BBQ sauce, bacon, and cheese.
1 Skillet To cook bacon until almost crispy before adding to the chicken.
1 meat thermometer To ensure chicken reaches perfect internal temperature (165°F) without drying out.
1 Basting brush To evenly coat chicken with BBQ sauce.

Ingredients

▢ 4 pieces Boneless skinless chicken breasts Pound to even thickness if needed for uniform cooking.
▢ ½ cup BBQ sauce Use your favorite smoky BBQ sauce.
▢ 6 slices Bacon strips then chop into bite-sized pieces.
▢ 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
▢ 2 tablespoons Green onions
▢ 1 teaspoon Salt
▢ ½ teaspoon Black pepper
▢ ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
▢ ½ teaspoon Smoked paprika

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Pound chicken to even thickness if needed for uniform cooking and place in a single layer in the prepared dish.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon strips until almost crispy but still slightly flexible (about 6–7 minutes). Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Cooking bacon separately ensures it stays perfectly crispy in the oven.
Brush or spoon BBQ sauce generously over each chicken breast, making sure to coat the edges. About 2 tablespoons per breast works best. This keeps the chicken moist and adds rich smoky flavor.
Place the sauced chicken in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 minutes until chicken is nearly cooked through (internal temperature ~155°F).
Remove chicken from oven and sprinkle with chopped bacon pieces, then cover with shredded cheddar cheese. Return to oven for 8–10 minutes until the cheese melts and the chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This step allows juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and tender.
Sprinkle with sliced green onions and serve hot with your favorite sides. This final touch makes the dish look restaurant-quality and adds a fresh pop of flavor.

Notes

This Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken is the ultimate comfort dinner — smoky, cheesy, and perfectly juicy. Every bite evokes warmth and nostalgia, making weeknights feel special and turning picky eaters into happy diners. Prep simply, bake confidently, and savor a meal that brings smiles and full plates.

Nutrition