Cowboy BBQ Bacon Cheddar Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoonolive oil
• 1 teaspoongarlic powder
• 1 teaspoononion powder
• 1 teaspoonsmoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoonsalt
• 0.25 teaspoonblack pepper
• 8 slicesbacon
• 1 cupshredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cupbarbecue sauce
• 0.25 cupgreen onions, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoonred pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. 2

   Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until it becomes crispy, which should take around 5-7 minutes.

3. 3

   Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess grease.

4. 4

   Once the bacon has cooled, crumble it into small pieces and set it aside.

5. 5

   Rub both sides of each chicken breast with olive oil.

6. 6

   Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper evenly over both sides of each chicken breast.

7. 7

   Place a large oven-safe skillet on medium-high heat and heat until hot.

8. 8

   Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown crust.

9. 9

   While the chicken is cooking, chop the green onions and prepare the barbecue sauce.

10. 10

    Once the chicken is seared, reduce the heat to medium and pour the barbecue sauce evenly over the chicken breasts.

11. 11

    Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the barbecue sauce-covered chicken breasts.

12. 12

    Crumble the cooked bacon over the cheese.

13. 13

    Transfer the skillet with the chicken to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

14. 14

    Once the chicken is done, remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the chopped green onions on top.

15. 15

    If desired, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the chicken for a bit of extra heat.

16. 16

    Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.