Description
Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken is a flavorful and hearty dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts smothered with a savory mixture of sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and crispy bacon, topped with melted cheddar cheese and drizzled with creamy ranch dressing. This oven-baked recipe captures the perfect balance of smoky, cheesy, and fresh flavors, ideal for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
																
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			Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the smothered chicken.
- Pound Chicken Breast: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1 inch to ensure even cooking.
- Season Chicken: Generously season both sides of each chicken breast with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms, diced green bell pepper, and diced onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.
- Add Bacon: Stir in the crumbled cooked bacon into the sautéed vegetables and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
- Arrange Chicken in Baking Dish: Place the seared chicken breasts in a single layer in a large baking dish.
- Top Chicken: Spoon the sautéed vegetable and bacon mixture evenly over each chicken breast.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the vegetable and bacon topping on the chicken.
- Drizzle Ranch Dressing: Drizzle ranch dressing over the top of the cheese and toppings to add creamy flavor.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
- Check Temperature: Remove the foil and check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer; it should reach 165°F (74°C). If it hasn’t, return the dish uncovered to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Rest Chicken: Once fully cooked and the cheese is bubbly, remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to retain juices.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the smothered chicken with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a fresh, vibrant touch.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.
- Use cooked bacon for best texture and flavor; bacon can be cooked ahead of time or store-bought pre-cooked bacon can be used.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after baking helps maintain moisture and enhances tenderness.
- Feel free to substitute ranch dressing with a homemade or favorite brand to adjust flavor profiles.
- This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Texas Roadhouse smothered chicken, smothered chicken recipe, oven-baked chicken with cheese and bacon, hearty chicken dinner, Texas style chicken
 
		