Cheesy BBQ Chicken Bake

This Cheesy BBQ Baked Chicken Breast is an easy recipe for busy weeknights. Boneless chicken breasts are covered with your favorite BBQ sauce and then topped with crispy bacon and melted cheddar cheese for the perfect comfort food dinner. And this baked BBQ chicken breast recipe is ready in about 30 minutes!

Easy Dinner Recipes

For most of us, the pace of life has picked up and easy dinners are a lifesaver. When spending too much time in the kitchen is not an option, one-pan dinners, crock pot, and air fryer recipe options offer a hassle-free meal that is quick, easy, and where cleanup is a breeze.

With just a handful of pantry staples, delicious dinners like Taco Pasta Skillet, Chicken Ravioli Lasagna, Meatball Casserole, Chicken Tray Bake, and this Baked BBQ Chicken Breast recipe top the list.

Why You'll Love This Easy Cheesy Bacon BBQ Chicken Recipe

I mean, what could be wrong with a chicken dish that has bacon on it? You know the saying, everything is better with bacon, and this recipe is no exception. The bacon and cheese definitely make the dish.

But we can't forget the sweet barbecue sauce! It becomes a thick, caramelized glaze covering the juicy chicken and makes a statement all its own. It puts this dinner into the finger-lickin' good column!

This boneless oven BBQ chicken breasts meal makes a great weeknight dinner and can be on the table in about 30 minutes with little cleanup. It's easy to make, with just a few prep steps, then pop it in the oven and relax.

Believe me, this barbecue dinner is so good that it will be your new go-to family favorite.

Ingredients

Just 4 ingredients - chicken breasts, cooked bacon, BBQ sauce, and cheddar cheese, plus a little salt and pepper are all it takes to put this delicious dinner together.

• Chicken Breasts - should all be of equal size. Try to use a medium-sized breast as the larger breasts will take longer to cook.
• BBQ Sauce - Any BBQ sauce will work, from your homemade version to Bulls-eye Original BBQ Sauce to Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce. My favorite is Weber Sweet & Thick Original BBQ Sauce which contains no high fructose corn syrup and no extra additives.
• Bacon - adds a crisp, smoky, salty texture to the dish. You can also use cooked turkey bacon, a slice of deli ham, or even prosciutto.
• Cheddar Cheese - is my all-time favorite but almost any type of cheese can be used. Substitute Pepper Jack for a little spicier result, smoked gouda for more barbecue flavor, or even mozzarella for that all-important cheese pull.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Breast in the Oven

Here are the simple steps for making baked chicken breasts with BBQ sauce:

1. Place chicken breasts in a lightly sprayed baking dish. Make sure they don't overlap so they cook evenly. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

2. Pour BBQ sauce over the chicken and bake. Chicken is done when the internal temperature measures 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Remove the chicken from the oven and top each breast with a strip of bacon.

4. Sprinkle cheese over the chicken and bacon and return the dish to the oven.

5. Bake for 5 more minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Baked Chicken Breast Temperatures and Time

This chicken turns out super moist and tender and, although I baked mine at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, it can also be baked at higher temperatures for a quicker turnaround time. The standard rule is less baking time at higher temperatures results in a moister and juicier chicken breast.

• 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes
• 400 degrees for 25 minutes
• 425 degrees for 18-20 minutes
• 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes

Note: If cooking at a higher temperature, check on the chicken halfway through cooking time to make sure the BBQ sauce has not dried up. In addition, be sure to turn the heat down to 350°F degrees after adding the cheese and bacon to give the cheese time to melt properly.

Recipe Tips

Make the bacon ahead of time so it's ready when you want to put together the dish. You can make the crispy bacon in a skillet, oven, or microwave up to 4 days in advance.

Don't overcook the chicken breasts, or they'll turn out dry. Check for doneness after 20 minutes using an instant meat thermometer to see if the internal temp has reached 165°F.

Recipe Variations

Chicken Thighs - are always a bit moister than chicken breasts. When making this dish with thighs, bake at 425°F for 35 minutes.

Chicken Tenders - are smaller and thinner so they will cook much quicker than a breast. I like to cook the tenders covered with foil at 425°F for 15-20 minutes.

Caramelized Onions - After baking, top with caramelized onions then add bacon and cheese.

Baked BBQ Chicken Breast with Potatoes - Cut red or Yukon gold potatoes into ½-inch cubes and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Spread them on the bottom of the dish and continue making the recipe as directed.

Baked BBQ Chicken Breast and Rice - Spread 4 cups of cooked white or brown rice into the bottom of the dish and continue making the recipe as directed.

What to Serve with BBQ Chicken

I serve my cheesy bacon BBQ chicken with baked beans, french fries, and corn on the cob. Here are some more ideas for baked BBQ chicken sides:

Roasted Corn Salad - is a quick & easy Mexican-inspired side dish made with fresh grilled corn & a rainbow of vegetables topped with lime dressing. A perfect accompaniment to barbecues.

Creamy Coleslaw from What A Girl Eats - This creamy coleslaw in a honey poppyseed dressing is the perfect side to any barbecue meal. 

Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins - are moist and delicious and deliver a little spice to your dinner plate.

Find more easy side dishes here on 2CM!

Make Ahead Freezer Meal

This BBQ Baked Chicken Breast recipe can be prepared in advance as a freezer meal to bake on a busy night or give to a friend in need.

Prepare the recipe except for baking it as directed using a metal baking dish or disposable aluminum pan. Cold or frozen glass or ceramic baking dishes can shatter when going from the fridge or freezer to the oven. Cover the dish with layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze it for up to 3 months.

When ready to make, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

Remove the foil and plastic and bake the thawed dish as directed adding a few minutes to the cooking time since it will be cold from the fridge.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature but no longer than 2 hours. Wrap the dish in aluminum foil or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

For longer storage, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.

To reheat, place the chicken breast in a baking dish and cover it with foil. Bake it at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through and the internal temp is 165°F.

Ideas for Leftover BBQ Chicken Breast

You can use baked barbecue chicken leftovers to make:

• BBQ Chicken Sandwich on a bun or Texas toast.
• Shred the chicken to make BBQ chicken sliders or tacos.
• Chop the chicken to make BBQ chicken pizza.

More Chicken Dinner Recipes

• Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
• Chicken and Orzo Skillet
• Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
• Italian Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Find lots of easy chicken recipes right here on 2CM!

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This post has been updated with more tips and better instructions. The post was first published on November 5, 2014.