Weeknight-Worthy Cheesy Bacon Chicken

Name: Skillet Cheesy Bacon Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 6 bacon (slices); 1 tbsp butter; 4 chicken breasts (boneless skinless); ½ cup onion (finely diced); 1 tsp garlic powder; ½ cup parsley (chopped); ½ cup cheddar cheese (shredded); ⅛ tsp salt; ⅛ tsp pepper

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Quick to prep and packed with protein, this Cheesy Bacon Chicken brings crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and melty cheese together in one delicious dinner. It's the type of comfort food that’s easy enough for weeknights—but still feels gourmet.

Cheesy bacon chicken in a cast iron skillet garnished with green onion.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Variations
How to Make Cheesy Bacon Chicken
Expert Tips
Serving Suggestions
Recipe FAQs
More Delicious Dinner Recipes
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Bacon. Cheese. Chicken. It’s the weeknight trio you didn’t know you needed! This Cheesy Bacon Chicken is a serious upgrade in flavor—with minimal effort. Juicy chicken breasts, crisp bacon, and melty cheddar come together in one baked dish.

With just a few easy steps and a handful of staple ingredients, this recipe is perfect for beginners and always a hit with the family. Best of all, it goes from stovetop to table in just 40 minutes!

Craving more chicken and bacon dinner ideas? Try this easy Chicken Broccoli Casserole, peppery Bacon Meatloaf or this Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole, next!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Juicy Inside, Cheesy-Crispy Outside: Start with grilling on the stovetop, then bake it with crispy bacon and melted cheese for tender chicken and a bold, golden topping.
Easy and Customizable: Just a handful of steps and 40 minutes from start to finish. Plus, it pairs with everything—from fresh greens to mashed potatoes—making it a weeknight go-to.
Busy Weeknight Favorite: Made with just a handful of ingredients, this bacon chicken recipe comes to the rescue on busy weeknights, when you want something homemade, but without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Chicken: The main protein that serves as a hearty, juicy base to carry all that crispy bacon and melty cheese flavor.
Bacon: Brings smoky flavor and crispy texture, adding a rich contrast to the creamy cheese and juicy chicken bacon cheese recipe.
Cheddar Cheese: Adds a sharp, creamy bite that melts perfectly over the bacon. No cheddar? Swap in your favorite shredded cheese—Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even pepper jack all work well.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

Add a bit of Heat: Love spice? Add chopped jalapenos or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes over the chicken bacon cheese before baking for a flavorful kick.
More Than Onion: Want extra veggies? Saute chopped spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms and layer them over the chicken before baking.
Ranch-Style: Add a tangy spin by sprinkling ranch seasoning over the chicken breasts before topping. The perfect pairing for bacon and cheese!

How to Make Cheesy Bacon Chicken

Ready to bring some sizzle to your skillet? With a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll be digging into a juicy, cheesy, comforting dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F, grab your 10” and 12” skillets, season your chicken, gather the rest of ingredients, and let’s get started!

Step 1: Crisp the Bacon. Cook the bacon strips over medium-low heat in the 12” skillet until crispy. Set them aside to cool and then chop them into bits. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken. Melt the butter in the same skillet with the 2 tablespoons of bacon grease, and cook the chicken breasts for about 15 minutes, or until fully cooked through. Next, transfer the chicken to a 10” cast iron skillet.

Step 3: Saute the Onions. Saute the onions and garlic powder until the onions are soft and fragrant.

Step 4: Finish the Topping. Crumble the bacon and stir it into the cooked onions.

Step 5: Layer. Spoon the bacon-onion mixture over the chicken.

Cheese added on top of chicken with bacon in a skillet.

Step 6: Bake and Enjoy. Top with shredded cheese and parsley. Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Enjoy them while they’re warm!

Hint: The Key to Crispy Bacon

After cooking the bacon strips, let it cool for a few minutes so it crisps up—this makes it easier to crumble and keeps that satisfying crunch when sauteed and baked with the onions and other toppings.

Cheese and bacon chicken in a skillet garnished with fresh parsley.

Expert Tips

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken breasts in batches if needed to ensure they sear properly and cook evenly. Crowding can cause steaming instead of browning.
Uniform Thickness Matters: Choose chicken breasts that are uniform in thickness, or pound them with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or the bottom of a skillet. This helps everything cook evenly and prevents dry edges or raw centers.
Check for Doneness: A meat thermometer is your best bet for juicy, thoroughly cooked chicken—look for an internal temp of 165°F. No thermometer? Slice into the thickest part and make sure the juices run clear.
Storing & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for 15–20 minutes until heated through.

Serving Suggestions

This chicken with bacon and cheese is endlessly versatile—there’s really no wrong way to serve it! Whether you're keeping it light with veggies, slicing it up for a protein-packed appetizer, or turning it into a sandwich for on-the-go meals, here are a few easy ways to dish it up:

Top it off with fresh herbs like cilantro, green onions, chives, or parsley for even more color and flavor.
Cube it up and add to a buffet-style spread alongside crowd favorites like skillet nachos, roasted cinnamon nuts, or this easy artichoke dip.
Keep it classic by slicing and serving with fondant potatoes, a simple slaw, or roasted asparagus.
Take it to-go by turning it into a sandwich with your favorite sliced bread or a couple of thick slices of Dutch oven bread.

A piece of cheesy bacon chicken on a plate with some cut into pieces.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make bacon cheddar chicken ahead of time?

Absolutely! This is a great make-ahead dish—perfect for meal prepping and ideal for busy weeknights when you still want something homemade.

Can I make this with frozen chicken?

It’s best not to. Frozen chicken won’t cook evenly in the skillet, and you risk undercooking or overcooking it. No burnt chicken here! For best results, thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight or at room temp for 3–4 hours before cooking.

Can I use pre-cooked bacon for this cheesy bacon chicken recipe?

Yes! If you're using pre-baked or store-bought bacon, just skip Step 1 in the instructions. Crumble it up and sprinkle it over the chicken when it’s time to saute and layer on the toppings.

Why did my chicken turn out dry?

Most likely, it was overcooked. A meat thermometer is your best bet here—aim for 165°F internal temp. You can also lightly cover the skillet with foil while baking to help retain moisture.