Description
Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts seared to golden perfection, then smothered with a savory mixture of sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, crumbled bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and creamy ranch dressing. Baked until bubbly and garnished with fresh parsley, this recipe offers a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 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 and Mix-ins
- 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
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
- Pound the chicken: Even out the thickness of the chicken breasts to about 1 inch to ensure even cooking.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder evenly over both sides of each chicken breast.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add sliced mushrooms, diced green bell pepper, and diced onion. Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Add bacon: Stir in the crumbled cooked bacon and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
- Arrange chicken in baking dish: Place the seared chicken breasts in a single layer inside a large baking dish.
- Add vegetable and bacon mixture: Spoon the sautéed mixture evenly over each chicken breast.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of each chicken breast and vegetable mix.
- Drizzle ranch dressing: Pour ranch dressing over the cheese and toppings for creamy richness.
- Cover and bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
- Check temperature and finish baking: Remove the foil and check the internal temperature of the chicken; it should reach 165°F (74°C). If it hasn’t, return uncovered to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes until fully cooked and cheese is bubbly.
- Rest the chicken: After baking, remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to retain juices.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top before serving for a fresh herbal finish.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, pounding the chicken breasts to uniform thickness is essential.
- Use cooked bacon for a smoky flavor and crispy texture.
- The ranch dressing adds creaminess and tang; for a lighter option, use a low-fat version.
- Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to guarantee safe consumption.
- This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a fresh green salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Texas Roadhouse, Smothered Chicken, Cheddar Cheese Chicken, Bacon Chicken, Ranch Dressing Chicken, Baked Chicken Recipe
