Description
Savory Broccoli Bacon Cheddar Chicken blends hearty protein with rich, creamy cheese and smoky bacon notes. Home cooks can easily craft this satisfying main dish that promises delicious comfort with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 ½ cups (375 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (125 ml) mozzarella cheese (optional, for extra cheesiness)
- ½ cup (125 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) cream cheese, softened
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 ½ cups (375 ml) broccoli florets, steamed and chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray for seamless release.
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and coat comprehensively with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance flavor profiles.
- Sear Protein: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, developing a rich golden-brown exterior on chicken pieces within 2-3 minutes per side, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Layer Dish: Arrange seared chicken in the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform base for subsequent ingredients.
- Craft Sauce: Whisk heavy cream, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika into a velvety, harmonious sauce that will infuse the entire dish with complex flavors.
- Build Layers: Distribute steamed broccoli florets and crumbled bacon across the chicken, establishing a textural and nutritional foundation.
- Sauce Application: Pour the cream mixture evenly over the layered ingredients, ensuring comprehensive coverage and flavor integration.
- Cheese Topping: Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheeses generously, creating a luxurious, melting cheese blanket.
- Bake and Finish: Roast uncovered in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches 165F internal temperature and cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165F, avoiding overcooking which can make meat tough and dry.
- Cheese Distribution Strategy: Grate cheeses fresh for better melting and more even coverage, creating a uniform, creamy golden top layer.
- Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or sour cream to reduce calories and carbohydrates while maintaining rich, creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg