Step-by-Step Method
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Take two strips of bacon and wrap them snugly around each chicken breast, tucking the loose ends underneath so they stay secure. Place the wrapped chicken in a shallow, lightly greased baking dish.
The initial bacon bake
25 mins
Place the baking dish into the oven and bake uncovered for 25 minutes. This initial bake is crucial because it gives the chicken a head start and allows the bacon to begin rendering and crisping up before any sauces are added.
Carefully remove the dish from the oven. Spoon the barbecue sauce evenly over and around each bacon-wrapped breast. Next, pile the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese directly on top of the sauce-covered chicken.
Pop the dish back into the oven for an additional 5 minutes. Watch for the cheese to become completely melted, bubbling rapidly, and slightly golden brown around the edges. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices lock in.
Perfect Tavern Pairings
To lean into the authentic pub experience, serve these rich, cheesy chicken breasts alongside a pile of crispy, salty french fries or a generous scoop of buttery mashed potatoes. The extra barbecue sauce and melted cheese from the bottom of the baking dish double as a perfect gravy to spoon over your sides, making it a completely cohesive, comforting weeknight meal
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