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Baked Crack Chicken Breasts

Baked crack chicken breasts are tender baked chicken breasts blanketed in a molten cream cheese ranch, bacon, and cheddar topping that bubbles to a golden crust. This ranch cream cheese chicken bake is an easy baked chicken dinner with savory, caramelized cheese edges.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 610
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken breasts
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Cream cheese ranch layer
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
Bacon and cheese topping
  • 8 strips bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
  • 1.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
Seasoning and garnish
  • 1 Salt and pepper to taste Add to season the chicken.
  • 1 Extra chives and bacon for topping

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and assemble
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish with a light coat of oil or spray.
  2. Season the chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper, then place them in the prepared baking dish.
  3. Beat the cream cheese with the ranch seasoning mix until smooth, then spread thickly over each chicken breast.
  4. Top each breast with the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese so the surface is covered.
Bake and finish
  1. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the topping is golden and bubbly and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  2. Garnish with extra fresh chives and crumbled bacon, then serve immediately.

Notes

For the crispiest bacon bits throughout, use bacon that’s already cooked and well-crisped before crumbling. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through to keep the top from getting watery. Freezing is not recommended because the ranch-cream cheese layer can break after thawing. For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar while keeping the bake time the same.