Sheet-Pan Million-Dollar Chicken

Name: Sheet-Pan Million-Dollar Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 48 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 8 thick-sliced bacon strips; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon buttermilk or whole milk; 2 teaspoons ranch salad dressing mix; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided; 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided; 1/2 cup shredded Gouda cheese; 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 2 green onions, chopped, whites and greens separated; 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1-in. thickness; 14 Ritz crackers; 1/4 cup sliced almonds; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Cook: 28 min.

Yield 4 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

This sheet-pan million-dollar chicken is a dynamic food mash-up that's worth its weight in gold.

Ingredients

8 thick-sliced bacon strips
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon buttermilk or whole milk
2 teaspoons ranch salad dressing mix
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/2 cup shredded Gouda cheese
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 green onions, chopped, whites and greens separated
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1-in. thickness
14 Ritz crackers
1/4 cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°.
In a large skillet set over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp, 4-5 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch dressing mix, cayenne, if using, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until smooth. Fold in Gouda, cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and the whites of the onion.
Arrange chicken breasts on a 15x10x-1-in. rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle both sides with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Top each chicken breast with two pieces of bacon in an X shape. Spread the cheese mixture over the bacon on each chicken breast.
In a food processor, pulse Ritz crackers, almonds and melted butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Divide bread crumb mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
Bake until the internal temperature reaches 165° and the topping is golden brown, 20-25 minutes. If the bread crumbs brown quickly, tent with foil.
Garnish with green parts of the onion to serve.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 812 calories, 63g fat (25g saturated fat), 195mg cholesterol, 1609mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 51g protein.

This million-dollar chicken recipe is inspired by my family's favorite party dip. It's loaded with cheese, bacon and zesty spices. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Recipe Creator