Smothered Chicken with Cheddar, Bacon, and Veggies Recipe

Introduction

Smothered Chicken is a comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with sautéed vegetables, crispy bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and a creamy ranch dressing. This hearty meal combines savory flavors that are sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1 inch.
3. Step 3: Season both sides of the chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
4. Step 4: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
5. Step 5: In the same skillet, add sliced mushrooms, diced green bell pepper, and diced onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender.
6. Step 6: Stir in the crumbled bacon and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
7. Step 7: In a large baking dish, place the seared chicken breasts in a single layer.
8. Step 8: Spoon the sautéed vegetable and bacon mixture over each chicken breast.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
10. Step 10: Drizzle ranch dressing over the cheese and toppings.
11. Step 11: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
12. Step 12: Remove the foil and check the internal temperature of the chicken; it should read 165°F (74°C). If not, return to the oven uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes.
13. Step 13: Once cooked through and cheese is bubbly, remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
14. Step 14: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in ranch dressing for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Swap cheddar cheese for pepper jack or mozzarella for a different cheesy twist.
• Add sliced jalapeños to the vegetables for a spicy kick.
• Use turkey bacon as a lighter alternative to regular bacon.

Storage

Store leftover smothered chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to maintain moisture and cheese meltiness. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken breasts for this recipe?

Bone-in chicken breasts can be used, but increase the cooking time and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to guarantee doneness.

Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free ranch dressing and verify that all other ingredients contain no gluten additives.

Smothered Chicken with Cheddar, Bacon, and Veggies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 449 reviews

This Smothered Chicken recipe features tender, seared chicken breasts topped with a savory blend of sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and crispy bacon, finished with melted cheddar cheese and a drizzle of creamy ranch dressing. Baked to perfection, this comforting dish is perfect for a hearty family dinner.

• Author: lucas
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Seasonings

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Toppings

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the smothered chicken.
2. Pound Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1 inch to ensure uniform cooking.
3. Season Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder for balanced flavor.
4. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown, then remove and set aside. This locks in juices and adds flavor.
5. Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add sliced mushrooms, diced green bell pepper, and diced onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender and aromatic.
6. Add Bacon: Stir in the crumbled cooked bacon and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
7. Assemble Dish: Place the seared chicken breasts in a single layer in a large baking dish.
8. Add Toppings: Spoon the sautéed vegetable and bacon mixture evenly over each chicken breast.
9. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the chicken and vegetable mixture.
10. Drizzle Ranch Dressing: Drizzle ranch dressing over the cheese and toppings to add creamy flavor.
11. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
12. Check Temperature: Remove the foil and check the internal temperature of the chicken; it should reach 165°F (74°C). If it hasn’t, return to the oven uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes until fully cooked and cheese is bubbly.
13. Rest: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
14. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a fresh, colorful finish.

Notes

• Ensure chicken breasts are pounded to uniform thickness for even cooking.
• Use freshly cooked bacon for best flavor and texture in the topping mixture.
• Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a kitchen thermometer to ensure it is fully cooked.
• You can substitute ranch dressing with any creamy dressing or sauce of your choice.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: smothered chicken, baked chicken, cheesy chicken, chicken dinner, bacon chicken recipe, easy chicken recipe