From Taste of Home · · 3m
Sheet-pan million-dollar chicken recipe
Transform the beloved party dip into a show-stopping chicken dinner with cheese, bacon, and buttery cracker crumbs.
In brief
Transform the beloved party dip into a show-stopping chicken dinner with cheese, bacon, and buttery cracker crumbs. Bake chicken at high heat (425°F) with rich toppings to keep it juicy and cook it quickly. Originally reported by Taste of Home.
Party dip meets chicken dinner
Million-dollar dip gets baked on top of juicy chicken breasts. The popular party dip is loaded with cheese, bacon, green onions, ranch seasoning and almonds.
The dip becomes a topping
The dip is mounded high atop chicken breasts and crisp bacon, then crowned with buttery cracker crumbs and ground almonds before baking.
Pound the chicken flat
Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness, no more than 1 inch thick. This helps the meat cook evenly throughout.
Three cheeses for complexity
A combination of Gouda, sharp cheddar and Parmesan gives the recipe a complex cheesy flavor. The cream cheese keeps the topping thick.
Ranch and cayenne add zing
Ranch dressing mix, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper give the topping its signature zesty flavor. Buttermilk adds extra tang.
Cook bacon until crisp first
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp, about four to five minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
Mix the creamy topping
Beat cream cheese, mayo, buttermilk, ranch mix, cayenne and seasonings. Fold in the three cheeses and the white parts of green onions.
Layer bacon in an X
Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Top each breast with two pieces of bacon arranged in an X shape.
Spread cheese mixture over bacon
Spread the cheese mixture over the bacon on each chicken breast. The thick topping mounds nicely on top.
Pulse crackers with almonds
In a food processor, pulse Ritz crackers, almonds and melted butter until coarse crumbs form. Divide evenly over the chicken breasts.
Bake at high heat
Bake at 425°F until internal temperature reaches 165° and topping is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Tent with foil if crumbs brown too quickly.
High heat keeps chicken juicy
Baking at high temperature cooks chicken quickly, so less moisture escapes from the lean muscle fibers. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
Make components ahead of time
Cook bacon, prep almond cracker crumbs, and mix the creamy topping two to three days ahead. Store separately in the fridge until ready to assemble.
Freezes for up to three months
Freeze chicken breasts either fully baked or assembled but unbaked for up to three months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before baking or reheating.
“This million-dollar chicken recipe is inspired by my family's favorite party dip. It's loaded with cheese, bacon and zesty spices.”
What matters most
Bake chicken at high heat (425°F) with rich toppings to keep it juicy and cook it quickly.
