Description
Million Dollar Chicken features juicy baked chicken breasts topped with a creamy, cheesy mixture loaded with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and flavorful seasonings. The topping is finished with crunchy slivered almonds and fresh green onions, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors. This easy, impressive dish pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or your favorite vegetables for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1/2 pound bacon
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 3 pounds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Topping
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions, divided
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds, divided
Instructions
- Prepare and Preheat: Spray a 9x13x2 inch baking dish with cooking spray and preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure even cooking.
- Cook Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy, either in a skillet or oven, then chop into small pieces and set aside for the topping mixture.
- Flatten and Season Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts with a meat tenderizer until they are evenly about ½ inch thick, then season all sides with salt, pepper, and paprika for balanced flavor.
- Mix Topping: In a bowl, combine the chopped bacon, softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, 2 tablespoons of green onions, and 2 tablespoons of slivered almonds, mixing thoroughly.
- Assemble Dish: Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the prepared baking dish. Evenly spread the creamy bacon and cheese mixture on top of each breast.
- Bake Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of green onions and 2 tablespoons of slivered almonds on top before serving for extra crunch and freshness.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, toast the slivered almonds in a dry skillet before mixing.
- Use full-fat cream cheese and sour cream for the creamiest topping.
- Chicken breasts can be butterflied if very thick to ensure even cooking.
- Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or pasta to complete the meal.
- Make sure chicken reaches 165°F internally for food safety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
