BBQ Chicken Skillet
BBQ Chicken Skillet has a lot going on, but each ingredient adds a layer of flavor that makes your taste buds sing. It’s an easy way to impress friends when entertaining, plus it’s a comforting meal with bold flavors.
Pin BBQ Chicken Skillet to make later.
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It’s said that bacon makes everything better. I tend to agree. If you ask just about anyone who comes to visit us, they will tell you I serve at least one dish that includes bacon. My brother tells me I need to write a bacon cookbook.
BBQ chicken skillet is a very easy recipe to make. There are only six ingredients.
All recipes are tested in my Florida kitchen exclusively by me.
Why you’ll love skillet BBQ chicken
- This BBQ chicken recipe is an easy one-skillet dish with minimal cleanup.
- Crispy bacon and melty cheese make every bite satisfying.
- It’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.
- Pairs well with a variety of side dishes to keep meals exciting.
- Simple ingredients you may already have on hand.
- It’s a meal the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
All of the ingredients are readily available in your grocery store for this BBQ chicken skillet. I stock up on chicken when it’s on sale.
- Bacon
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- Salt
- Pepper
- Barbecue Sauce – use your favorite barbecue sauce or make a homemade BBQ sauce
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
What can I serve with BBQ Chicken Skillet?
Think of this dish as a barbecue entree and serve sides such as corn on the cob, baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread muffins, green beans with bacon, baked potatoes, mac and cheese, and other backyard barbecue-style side dishes.
For drinks, try raspberry sun tea, strawberry iced tea, or refreshing watermelon agua fresca.
Tips and suggestions for success
If you prefer, you can cut up the bacon and cook it, but I find crumbling it after cooking to be easier. Do whatever works for you.
I used shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and sometimes I use white cheddar (see the photo below0, but you could use Monterey Jack cheese, Colby Jack, pepper jack for some heat, or traditional cheddar. You can use any barbecue sauce your family enjoys.
Just keep in mind what would pair well with the cheese. You may not want a spicy hot sauce with spicy cheese. The idea is to complement. This dish is easy enough for a busy weeknight but also impressive enough for entertaining company.
Make sure you pound the chicken with a meat mallet so it cooks evenly. I usually pound it to about an inch thickness, maybe a bit less.
Pound the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper. This keeps your meat mallet clean.
Use a large skillet for this recipe so you don’t crowd the chicken. Crowded chicken will take longer to cook. I prefer to use cast iron, but any skillet will work.
More BBQ chicken recipes
If you like barbecue chicken, try my cranberry BBQ chicken wings or easy BBQ chicken sandwich recipe. If you’re a fan of skewers, try these beer and honey barbecue chicken skewers. They are all easy recipes that would be ideal for busy weeknight dinners.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Oftentimes, they won’t need pounding because they are pretty even to begin with. That will be a decision you’ll have to make.
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BBQ Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
- 4 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves pounded evenly
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ⅓ cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. In an ovenproof skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon to paper towels and reserve drippings.
- Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In the same pan, brown chicken in drippings over medium heat until the chicken starts to brown on both sides. Brush with ⅓ cup barbecue sauce. Transfer to the oven and bake until a thermometer reads 160 – 165℉.4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ⅓ cup barbecue sauce
- Sprinkle with bacon and then the cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.4 strips bacon, ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
This sounds wonderful – a little like the Hunters chicken that’s a bit of a pub classic over here in the UK, so I know it’s going to taste amazing.
The combination of bbq and bacon is so good- and on chicken, the flavors must come together like a dream!
Love the ease with which your barbecue bacon cheddar chicken is made. And there are so few ingredients too. Makes life easy!
You put two of my favorites together. Barbecue and bacon! This looks Fabulous.
Bacon adds such a great taste and crunch!!!
Love easy and delicious recipes. Thanks for the recipe!
I love everything about this! This will be a winner with my crew.
This is a dinner my kids would love- great one skillet clean up too!
Sounds like a tasty combination!
Love how you added bacon and cheddar to the chicken. Sounds very simple but delicious!
I’m in firm agreement that bacon makes everything better, and this recipe sounds fab! Sometimes it’s the quick and easy ones like this that are the best. 🙂
Yes! Bacon does make everything better! This looks delicious; love the idea using a different bbq sauce or type of cheese to change it up!
These flavors sound SO good together! I have to try this!
Bacon does make everything better 😉 I’m all for easy weeknight recipe, looks delicious!
I have tried this one too! You are absolutely right…it’s a simple weeknight dish that can be transformed into many different versions by simply changing the sauces and cheese. Delicious!