Description
Creamy broccoli bacon cheddar chicken delivers comfort and flavor in one delightful dish. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a satisfying meal that will make you crave seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 ½ cups broccoli florets, steamed and chopped
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese (optional, for extra cheesiness)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Thoroughly dry the chicken pieces and generously season both surfaces with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, ensuring even coverage.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, carefully searing the seasoned chicken until a rich golden-brown crust develops, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the seared chicken to the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform layer.
- Create a luxurious sauce by whisking together heavy cream, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Arrange steamed broccoli florets evenly across the chicken, then sprinkle crumbled bacon over the vegetables.
- Gently pour the prepared cream mixture over the chicken, broccoli, and bacon, ensuring complete coverage.
- Generously distribute cheddar and mozzarella cheeses across the entire dish, creating a rich, melty topping.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F and the cheese becomes golden and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped green onions, serving immediately while warm and aromatic.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Use thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispiness, crumbling it just before adding to the dish to maintain its crunchy texture.
- Consider using Greek yogurt or half-and-half as lighter alternatives to heavy cream for a lower-calorie version without sacrificing creaminess.
- For gluten-free adaptation, verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free and substitute any potential wheat-containing seasonings with pure spices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg