Hey you, I hope you’re having a great week so far!
We just got back from a long weekend visiting Ben’s parents in Washington DC. We hibernated, ate great steak, played THE most most hilarious game, and Ben and I even got to sneak off for a mule and martini day date while the grandparents were in charge. It’s back to reality though, which means back to work, school, and starting baby boot camp, aka moving Cameron from my bedside bassinet to his crib in his room. I am fighting back tears as I type – it is so bittersweet!
We’re ripping the bandaid off and doing sleep training at the same time as the crib move, so this Mama will likely be extra tired with a cranky 4 month old on her hip this week. That’s why I’m grateful to have this 5 ingredient, 15 minute, 1 skillet recipe in my back pocket (aka I could practically make this thing in my (broken) sleep.) Although it’s not especially photogenic, BBQ, Avocado, Bacon and Cheddar Chicken is rocking my world right now!
Honestly I don’t post too many chicken breast recipes here on IGE because they can be so bland and boring, right? When’s the last time anyone in the house got excited when you announced “sauteed chicken breasts are on the menu tonight!” I recognize that chicken breasts are relatively inexpensive and readily available, but I much prefer chicken thighs, ground beef, sausage, or seafood if I’ve got a choice.
That said, even I can’t turn up my nose at chicken breasts when they’re smothered in sweet and smokey BBQ sauce then topped with crispy bacon, sliced avocado, and a mountain of freshly grated cheddar cheese. And are ready in 15 minutes. And are CRAZY delicious!!
This recipe is a riff on my Monterey Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich which (heh) I adapted to be super quick cooking by slicing chicken breasts in half to create cutlets, which cook in just a few minutes, and to include avocados because I can’t get enough of them right now. I make a big batch of really garlickly guacamole each week then snack on it for the next few days. We’re going to start Cameron on cereal and purees in the next couple of months and I can’t wait to plump up those already gorgeously juicy thighs with tons of avocado puree – whee!
Anyway, Ben and I wolf this meal down with big side salads, and Lincoln, who has a dairy allergy, eats the BBQ chicken chopped up in a bowl with bacon and avocado. Quick, easy and absolutely delicious for the whole family! Get after it!
Start by browning 4 slices bacon that have been cut in half in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain then remove all but 1 Tablespoon grease from the skillet and turn the heat up slightly.
Next, salt and pepper 4 chicken cutlets that have been cut from 2 chicken breasts (just cut them in half width wise) and add to the skillet. Saute until golden brown on one side, 2-3 minutes, then flip.
After flipping, spread a heaping Tablespoon BBQ sauce over the top of each cutlet.
Now add the rest of the goodies: 2 bacon halves followed by avocado slices and 1oz freshly shredded cheddar cheese.
Place a lid on top of the skillet then continue cooking until the cheese has melted, 2 minutes or so. Since the chicken is cut so thin it will be cooked through in no time.
Plate the chicken then serve with a big side salad or roasted vegetables. May I suggest roasted broccoli or green beans? Whatever’s on the side, I hope you LOVE this easy and scrumptious BBQ, Avocado, Bacon and Cheddar Chicken! Enjoy!
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
BBQ, Avocado, Bacon and Cheddar Chicken
Description
5 Ingredient BBQ, Avocado, Bacon and Cheddar Chicken takes just 15 minutes to cook, and is totally craveable. This easy, gluten-free dinner recipe is such a winner!
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, cut in half
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced in half widthwise to create cutlets
- salt and pepper
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 4oz freshly shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
- Add bacon halves to a large, 12" skillet over medium heat then saute until browned. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain then remove all but 1 Tablespoon bacon grease from the skillet and turn the heat up slightly.
- Season chicken cutlets on both sides with salt and pepper then add to the skillet and saute until golden brown on one side, 2-3 minutes. Flip then spread a heaping Tablespoon BBQ sauce on top of each cutlet, followed by 2 bacon halves, 1/4 of the avocado slices, and 1/4 of the shredded cheese. Place a lid on top of the skillet then cook until the cheese has melted and chicken is cooked through, 2 minutes. Transfer onto plates then serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
These are SOOOO good! The recipe is so easy to put together too.
This is a great and simple meal. Plus my wife loves avocados. This was definitely delicious with a few added ingredients…
Winner winner! My hubby gave this 2 thumbs way up!
[…] at first glance, I’m thinking, “No way, Jose.” I can whip up a 20-minute recipe like this one for pennies on the dollar. Five ingredients. Twenty minutes. No […]
Big hit tonight, I couldn’t believe how fast chicken cooked. Thanks!
Yeah those cutlets are such a dream for busy weeknights!
Thank you! I pinned so much and what fun to read! Keep up the great work. My daughter is taking me to Italy later this year and I just can”t wait ;)
Kristin, I tell my people, “It’s from Iowa Girl Eats!” if they are unsure about what I am serving on Experiment Night (I came up with that name, because when they were little, they hated it when I tried new recipes, but I explained that I am a cook who can’t get bored and needs to experiment…as long as they knew it was coming, they seemed okay with it). Anyway…..this recipe was POPULAR. AND EASY. And YUMMY. Definitely a keeper:)
Oh my goodness! I do the same thing!! When I make a new recipe for dinner they will invariably disect it before they even try eating it – unless I tell them it is an Iowa Girl Eats recipe, then all is well! They just dig in and know it will be tasty.
This chicken dish was a huge hit in my house!!! So easy to make and everyone loved it! It’s going right into our meal rotation.
Wow. You weren’t kidding. This came together SO fast, was SO easy, and was SOOOO delicious. It’s going in the regular rotation for sure. We ate it with a side salad- a perfect weeknight meal.
Oh I’m so glad to hear it, Leigh Anne!!! Thanks so much for leaving feedback! :)
This look delish! And I would love a family post on sleep training you did with both boys. I always enjoy real life stories and experiences to add to all the articles and books I’m reading. Have an almost 3 month old and am thinking/worrying about the “putting down awake” concept a loT! Love everything you post- food and family! :)
Wow! This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it out!
This could not have come at a better time – we are also doing sleep training with our 4 month old, and any quick and easy dinner is necessary with a) sleep deprivation and b) 2 other kiddos underfoot. This looks dreamy!
Good luck, Mama!! I hope you love the meal, too!
Perfect chicken dinner for when I don’t want to use the oven and need a quick meal!
Yes, exactly! Great for the spring/summer as the temperatures begin to heat up!
Can you give some suggestions on make your own baby food? I want to make some for my grand daughter and would love some suggestions.
You bet, Kristi! I wrote a whole post about it when my oldest was young! http://iowagirleats.com/2014/05/05/how-to-make-your-own-baby-food-blendtec-blender-giveaway/
That looks really good, but my cook is not big on avocado and cheese, so we’ll see if he’ll try it. He’s great at grilling chicken thighs in BBQ sauce. That’s one of my favorite meals.
BACON + Cheddar is a match made in heaven!! This is a great combo- my boyfriend would LOVE it. He’s a bacon fiend!
Me too! ;) Hope you guys love it!
I can’t wait to try this recipe, looks perfect for busy week nights. I have a 3 year old and almost 4 month old so evenings get chaotic. What kind of sleep training are you doing? I have been thinking that’s in our near future as well. Good luck Momma!
I put him down awake (no pacifier, with an arm out of the swaddle to suck his fingers if he can,) then let him try and put himself to sleep. If he cries I go up at 5 minutes to soothe (kisses, chest rub, etc) for a minute, then leave, let him cry for 7 minutes, go in and soothe, then 10 minutes, etc. So far he hasn’t gone past the second 7 minute cry session so fingers crossed he can keep it up! ??
Thank you! I love this plan as I need to end the rocking to sleep.
It’s hard because rocking to sleep works so well (and is soooo sweet and snuggly!!) but, for us, sleep training has really paid off with both boys. I know CIO even modified like we do is not for everyone, but Cam is already sleeping through the night since we started this last week!
Yum! Chicken breast is our fave, my husband doesn’t like the texture of thighs. This looks great! Do you have any bacon brand suggestions? I try to pick brands without nitrates, but some of them cook up terribly.
Yes! I am a mega fan of Applegate Low-Sodium Sunday Bacon – it’s the only kind I buy:
15 minutes and one pot meal? Count me in. Plus, melted cheese and avocado. YUM!
This looks delicious and hearty! I’d probably have to stick some sort of potato on the side to get the SO to eat it, but herbed potato wedges would probably go great with this!