Baked Crack Chicken Breasts

Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 30 mins | Servings: 4

This Baked Crack Chicken Breasts recipe has been one of my favorite chicken meals! Super easy to make, delicious, creamy, and loaded with bacon & cheese. The best part is this dish is low-carb and keto-friendly!

INGREDIENTS

4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced

CHICKEN:

1 tbsp butter

4 (1-lb, total) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to ¼-inch thickness

½ tsp smoked or sweet paprika

1 tbsp vegetable oil

½ tsp garlic powder

salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

RANCH CREAM CHEESE:

¼ tsp dried dill weed

¼ tsp garlic powder

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

¼ tsp onion powder

4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese, white or yellow – I use a little of both

½ tsp dried chives

FOR GARNISH:

sliced green scallions

chopped fresh parsley

How to make Baked Crack Chicken Breasts

Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 400 degrees F. Using cooking spray, lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2: Add the diced bacon to a hot large skillet over medium-high heat and cook until crispy. Set the bacon aside when done, but DO NOT discard the bacon grease.

Step 3: In the same skillet with the rest of the bacon fat, add the vegetable oil.

Step 4: To about ¼-inch thickness, pound the chicken breasts and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

Step 5: Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts (in batches) and sear for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the chicken. Add the butter and continue to cook the other side for another 3 minutes. In the prepared baking dish, arrange the chicken breasts and set them aside.

Step 6: Place the cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, and chives in a small bowl. Mix well until combined. Adjust the seasonings as needed. If desired, you can mix in 1 tbsp of store-bought ranch seasoning.

Step 7: With 2 tbsp of the cream cheese mixture, top each chicken breast, spreading it to coat the surface of the chicken breasts. On top of the cream cheese, place half of the bacon and sprinkle with the shredded cheese.

Step 8: Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, uncovered or until the chicken is completely cooked and the cheese has melted and turned lightly browned.

Step 9: Take the baked cracked chicken breasts out of the oven and serve them garnished with the rest of the bacon, fresh parsley, and scallions. Enjoy!

NOTES:

WW FREESTYLE POINTS: 13
By using low-fat cheddar and light cream cheese, you’ll reduce the FREESTYLE POINTS DOWN TO 8 points.

TO FREEZE THE CRACK CHICKEN:

To a large bag or airtight container, transfer the cooled, crack chicken and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight when ready to serve before reheating.

NUTRITION FACTS: