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Baked Crack Chicken Breasts

Baked crack chicken breasts with a molten cream cheese ranch, bacon, and cheddar topping that bakes up golden and bubbly. Juicy chicken breasts are topped thickly and finished at 165°F for a caramelized, crusty ranch-cheese layer.
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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: 640
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Season chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper and place them in the prepared dish.
Make the ranch cream cheese and top
  1. Beat cream cheese with ranch seasoning until smooth, then spread thickly over each chicken breast so the top is coated.
  2. Top each breast with crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese so the surface is evenly covered and ready to melt.
Bake and finish
  1. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 375°F until the topping is golden and bubbly and internal temperature reaches 165°F, indicated by active bubbling and a browned, set top.
  2. Garnish with extra fresh chives and crumbled bacon and serve immediately for the best hot, melted topping.

Notes

For the smoothest, spreadable ranch cream cheese topping, soften the cream cheese fully before mixing. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through so the cheddar stays a little crisp. Freezing isn’t recommended because the topping can lose its creamy texture. If you want a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar while keeping the bake time the same.