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Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
What's not to love about million dollar chicken? Juicy chicken breasts are topped with a cream cheese-bacon dip. The whole dish is rich and decadent—as anything with the promise of being "million dollar" should be. Sliced almonds provide a nice crunch and some nutty flavor, and scallions add freshness against the richness of the cheeses and savory bacon. If you like a little more heat, use pepper Jack cheese instead of Cheddar.
Learn how to make million dollar chicken. Finish off the plate with roasted potatoes and broccoli florets, and you've got yourself a dinner so good, you'll feel like a lot of bucks (maybe even a million).
Ingredients for Million Dollar Chicken
With cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, bacon, sliced almonds, and seasonings in the mix, it's just impossible not to love this over-the-top chicken dish. To make million dollar chicken, you'll need:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The lean but tender protein base of the dish.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Seasons the chicken.
- Cream cheese: Adds a creamy tanginess to the topping of the chicken.
- Sharp Cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp, cheesy flavor to the topping.
- Mayonnaise: Adds moisture and richness, while helping to bind the topping.
- Thick-cut bacon slices: For a smoky, savory flavor and crisp texture.
- Hot sauce: Adds a subtle heat.
- Garlic powder: For a savory depth.
- Scallions: Brightens the chicken, adding a pop of color and oniony flavor.
- Sliced almonds: For a nutty crunch.
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Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
How To Make Million Dollar Chicken
Pounding chicken breasts before topping with a cream cheese mixture means a quick bake time and even cooking. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief outline before you get started:
- Step 1. Prepare oven: Preheat oven with a large rimmed baking sheet inside.
- Step 2. Flatten chicken: Pound chicken to 1/2-inch thickness and transfer to a sheet of parchment paper. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Step 3. Make cream cheese mixture: Stir together cream cheese, Cheddar, and mayonnaise. Stir in bacon, hot sauce, garlic powder, some scallions, some almonds, and remaining pepper.
- Step 4. Top chicken with cream cheese mixture: Spread a bit of the cream cheese mixture over each chicken breast. Remove baking sheet from oven and place parchment with chicken on top.
- Step 5. Bake and serve: Bake until cheese is melted and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Garnish with remaining almonds and scallions and serve.
Million Dollar Chicken Variations
To change up this million dollar chicken, consider these variation ideas:
- Chicken: Swap the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, if preferred. You can also use other types of proteins, including turkey cutlets or pork chops.
- Cheese: Substitute the Cheddar with other types of cheeses, including gouda, Swiss, mozzarella, pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, crumbled blue cheese, and more.
- Veggies: Add sautéed spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or minced bell peppers to the topping for a boost in nutrients and color.
- Herbs: Add chopped parsley, cilantro, or thyme for additional flavor.
- Spices: Add paprika, cayenne, or other spices as desired.
- Almonds: If needed, you can leave out the nuts or substitute with walnuts, pine nuts, or other nuts as desired. You can also sprinkle the chicken with panko breadcrumbs toward the end of baking for a similar crunch.
- Bacon: Substitute with turkey bacon if needed.
- Scallions: Swap with chives if preferred.
- One-pan meal: Add veggies to the baking sheet, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or green beans, for a full meal in one pan.
Can I Make Million Dollar Chicken Ahead?
To make this dish ahead, assemble as directed, then wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Let stand at room temperature on parchment paper while the oven and baking sheet preheats, then transfer to the hot baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a few minutes of baking time as needed.
You can also assemble and freeze the chicken for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
How To Store and Reheat Leftover Million Dollar Chicken
Store leftover million dollar chicken well-wrapped or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, covered, in a preheated 350°F oven until hot throughout. You can also reheat in the microwave, if needed.
Leftovers can be served in sandwiches, cut into salads, or sliced over pasta for a delicious lunch or quick dinner option.
What To Serve with Million Dollar Chicken
With its rich, decadent flavor, million dollar chicken pairs well with veggie sides like broccoli florets, green beans, a green salad, sautéed spinach, or other steamed or roasted vegetables. Serve with dinner rolls, garlic bread, mashed or roasted potatoes, rice, or pasta to round out the meal.
More Oven-Baked Chicken Recipes You'll Love
Oven-baked chicken dishes need little prep or cleanup, but always make a delicious, crowd-pleasing weeknight meal:
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken
- Chicken-and-Biscuit Casserole
- Baked Caprese Chicken with Green Beans and Corn
- Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes
- Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken
- Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs
Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.
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Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Ingredients
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4 (8-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 tsp. kosher salt
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3/4 tsp. black pepper, divided
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4 oz. cream cheese (about 1/2 cup), softened
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4 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
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1/3 cup mayonnaise
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4 (2 1/2 oz. total) thick-cut bacon slices, cooked and chopped (about 3/4 cup)
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1 tsp. hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
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1/2 tsp. garlic powder
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3 large scallions, thinly sliced (about 1/3 cup), divided
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1/3 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted, divided
Directions
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Prepare oven:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place a large rimmed baking sheet in oven while oven preheats.
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Flatten chicken:
Place chicken breasts between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, and flatten each to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Discard plastic wrap, and transfer chicken to a sheet of parchment paper. Season both sides of chicken with salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper.
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
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Make cream cheese mixture:
Stir together cream cheese, Cheddar, and mayonnaise until smooth and well combined. Stir in bacon, hot sauce, garlic powder, 3 tablespoons of the scallions, 3 tablespoons of the almonds, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until evenly combined.
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
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Top chicken with cream cheese mixture:
Spread 1/2 cup of the cream cheese mixture on top of each chicken breast. Remove baking sheet from oven to a heat-proof surface. Carefully transfer parchment paper with chicken to preheated baking sheet.
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
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Bake chicken, garnish, and serve:
Bake in preheated oven until cheese is melted and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest portion of chicken registers 165°F, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and garnish evenly with remaining 2 tablespoons almonds and 2 tablespoons scallions.
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Frequently Asked Questions
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This chicken is so decadent and rich, it tastes like a million bucks! (Hence the name.)
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If needed, you can leave the sliced almonds out of the dish entirely, or top the chicken with panko breadcrumbs, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds toward the end of baking for a similar crunch.
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To lighten up this dish, consider substituting part or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, and the bacon with turkey bacon.