One of my family’s very favorite recipes, naturally gluten-free Bacon Chicken, was found online when I was trying to make a recipe using ingredients I already had on hand. Sound familiar?
Yes, you’ve read about me doing this same thing many, many times here at gfe. It’s my main M.O. in the kitchen. So I had chicken, bacon, and cheddar cheese.
The Bacon Chicken recipe I found only required a few more ingredients, namely, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Those are my typical pantry items—and beloved ones at that—so there was no problem there.
The “problem” came into play when I wanted to make this recipe dairy free. Could one convert a recipe that required 1 ½ cups of cheese to be dairy free … and delicious?
It turned out to be an easy “conversion.” I simply left out the cheese and used a small amount of red bell pepper to create a sweet flavorful oomph, if you will.
I also added the Sun-Dried Tomato Jalapeno Majestic Garlic Spread that I love, which adds its own “cheesy oomph,” but this recipe still works fine without it. It turns out that it’s the bacon-onion-garlic topping combo that really elevates this recipe to “family favorite.”
Update: Now I use shredded cheese (dairy-full or dairy-free) instead of Majestic Garlic Spread as their products are no longer shipped and unfortunately, none of my local grocery stores carry it.
Be forewarned … make this dish knowing that unless you have lots of other side dishes, there are unlikely to be leftovers. This Bacon Chicken is just that good!
More Delicious Gluten-Free Bacon and/or Chicken Recipes
~ 50 Gluten-Free Bacon Recipes for National Bacon Lover’s Day
~ Homemade Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets
~ Paleo Sweet Potato Bacon Tater Tots
~ Triple Chocolate Double Bacon Freezer Fudge
Bacon Chicken Recipe (Naturally Gluten Free)
Bacon always adds extra flavor to dishes and this chicken recipe is no different. Plus, the combination of the bacon with the onion, red peppers, garlic, and other ingredients makes the perfect chicken topping. Six slices of bacon does not yield a large amount of drippings, aka bacon grease. But if you are absolutely bacon grease phobic, you may drain the grease (no need to wipe skillet) and add about 2 tbsp of oil of your choice to replace it. I have made this recipe using Majestic Garlic Spread instead of cheese but you can no longer order it online and none of my local stores carry their products. (I am not affiliated with this product; I am simply a huge fan.) Sometimes when I make this dish, I cheat and skip the step of partially cooking the chicken breasts in the skillet. In that case, I place chicken breast pieces in the baking dish, top with garlic-onion mixture, cover, and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This method yields more liquid in the baking dish, but still works just fine. While I’m not phobic about bacon drippings, I am about undercooked chicken, so please adjust your cooking time if you know from experience that you need less time to achieve perfectly cooked chicken. Recipe adapted from busycooks.com.Bacon Chicken
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
You had me at bacon and chicken. This looks divine!
Shirley says
Hi Lydia–That’s usually the case when a bacon recipe “pops up” and one is a bacon lover! 😉 I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
Thanks!
Shirley
Jen says
Oh, WOW. This looks and sounds FANTASTIC! With red peppers, too…can’t wait to try this one out!
Shirley says
Hi Jen–It’s good to see you again, and thanks! 🙂 I hope you’ll love this recipe as much as we do. 😉
Shirley
Wendy @ Celiacs in the House says
Yummy! I did a bacon chicken recipe this week, but just spread a quick dab of honey and dijon on each boneless skinless thigh and topped with a half a strip of bacon. Had to make it again two nights later cuz the menfolk wanted more. They would think I was mom of the year if I made your recipe. It’s much fancier than my dinner on the fly and they loved that bacon chicken combo.
Shirley says
Oh, Wendy, you can never go wrong with those three ingredients–honey, Dijon, and bacon! I bet that was such an easy meal and so delicious. Boneless chicken thighs are a gift to those who enjoy dark meat. By the way, I love it whenever you say “menfolk.” 😉
This recipe has a fancy look and taste, but it’s very simple to make really. I’m hosting a girlfriends’ dinner this week and I think I’ll make bacon chicken for them to try, and hopefully, enjoy. 🙂
Shirley
Debi says
*doing a happy dance* I foresee Chaz licking his plate after this one! LOL
Shirley says
Haha on Chaz!! I haven’t heard any of his rave reviews for quite some time, so I’ll be eagerly anticipating what he has to say! 😉 And I think you’ll really enjoy this one, too, Debi. 🙂
Shirley
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I’m pretty sure my boys would all go crazy over this! They are bacon LOVERS! Sounds perfect Shirley!
Shirley says
Hi Sarena–I’m so happy to make all your boys happy with this recipe! 😉
Thanks, dear! xo,
Shirley
Kim (Cook IT Allergy Free) says
Dear God, woman!! This sounds AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I am not kidding. Just thinking about the bacon mixed with the magestic garlic. I am headed out to Cali again this week and I am stocking up big time on it because I already went through my last stash!! I am just loving this recipe. My boys will be thanking you very soon because of it! LOL
xo
k
Shirley says
Hey Kim–You are sooo funny, but I do think you all will love this one. Knowing you, you will put a Kim spin on it that makes it even better! 😉
I love Majestic Garlic so much! It’s become my “go to” dairy-free ingredient because it adds that creaminess. I’ve also been using the Basil one a lot. I mix that with chili sauce to create a terrific pizza sauce. 🙂 I’ve been ordering from them regularly since last year. They keep for a fairly long time, and I go through them fairly quickly so it works out.
Will be awaiting the review from your boys! xo,
Shirley
Ina Gawne says
Shirley – this sounds so good! Bacon is just so magical in so many dishes! That Majestic Garlic spread sounds divine! I must check it out – thanks for sharing!
Shirley says
Hi Ina–I agree on bacon being magical! It doesn’t even take much of it to give that special flavor. 😉 This dish works fine without the Majestic Garlic, but I do LOVE that stuff! And since you do eat cheese, you may also want to consider clicking through to the original recipe and do a slight variation that includes some cheese.
Shirley
SunnyB@andloveittoo says
Oh my goodness! I am working on my adoption post for the month and I already knew one of the recipes I was going to feature but signed in to pick a second one (I have tried and loved so many of yours already!), this chicken just made it to the top of the list! I cannot wait to give it a try. xoxo
Shirley says
Sunny–I’m so tickled that you adopted me, and very much appreciate your lovely words! 🙂 I do think this chicken dish would fit your current eating plan perfectly AND make everyone happy. 😉
xo,
Shirley
Megan @ Allergy Free Alaska says
Hi Shirley,
Thank you for sharing this recipe on Whole Food Fridays – it looks (and I bet it tastes) divine!! I’m already planning on featuring it next week on WFF (I can’t help it. I’m a total sucker for bacon!).
Thank you so much for the mention!
xoxo
Megan
Shirley says
Oh, wow, Megan!! I am so honored! I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon. It’s so yummy. I admit that I don’t make it that often because I like to make it and have the guys go crazy all over again. LOL
I’m happy to share your new Whole Food Friday event, dear. It promises to be fantastic each week. So very many great dishes that we will feel both good about eating and good while eating. 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Susan says
Oh my — I am just salivating looking at the picture and reading your recipe. Thanks Shirley!
Shirley says
Susan–I agree … it’s that kind of recipe! Not too much bacon, but the combo really is something. 😉 Hope you like it if you give it a try!
Shirley
Donna says
Can’t wait to try the garlic spread ~ And what a fabulous weeknight dinner!
Shirley says
Hi Donna–Welcome to gfe! 🙂 The Majestic Garlic Spread is totally amazing! They offer so many flavors and it comes very quickly from CA. I use it quite often and in so many ways. You’re right about this dish … it’s perfect for during the week.
I so loved your post on the garden gazpacho in a jar. I’m glad that both Ricki and Kalyn shared it on Facebook, so I didn’t miss it! Simply and beautifully brilliant!
Shirley
InTolerant Chef says
Oooh bacon makes EVERYTHING taste good, duo this is obviously fantastic! No wonder it’s a favorite with your family 🙂
Shirley says
InTolerant Chef–The only thing I haven’t liked with bacon thus far is a bacon martini, but that could be because I’ve never been a martini drinker. LOL Otherwise, bacon, bacon, bacon! (If you imagine a deep cartoonish voice, I sound like one of those dog treat commercials, don’t I?)
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Shirley
Sophie says
Waw! This isuch a lovely recipe! Looks very appetizing too!
I must make this soon! Yummmmmm! xxx
Shirley says
Hi Sophie–Thanks, dear! I hope you will enjoy it very much! 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Brandae says
I’m looking up this Majestic Garlic Spread pronto – thanks so much for the recipe. I love how easy but tasty your recipes are! Have a great weekend!
Shirley says
Brandae–I guarantee that you will absolutely love Majestic Garlic Spread if you get some. A word to the wise, a little goes a long way. When you open a container, you think that it doesn’t hold much and will be gone in an instant, but then you’ll find that very small amounts add all the flavor and creaminess that you need. My favorite flavors to date are the Sun-Dried Tomato Jalapeno Pepper and Basil.
Thanks so much for the sweet words on my recipes, dear! I’m glad I’m living up to my blog name. 😉
Shirley
Linda says
Made this dish last night. I took 2 chicken breasts and cut them into 4 pieces, substituted kernel corn in place of the peppers, and used my own home made spaghetti sauce, using just a small amount of sauce on each piece of chicken. The bacon knocked the socks off everyone ! In my family, if we like a meal we will say, “It’s a do again”…and this is !!
Shirley says
Hi Linda–Nice to see you again! 🙂 And woohoo on your recipe adaptation and success! I LOVE this flavor combo you’ve come up with. Isn’t it amazing how a relatively small amount of bacon adds so much that’s fabulous to this dish? 😉 I can’t imagine a better review .. “it’s a do again” … thanks to you all!
Shirley
Jane says
That garlic spread sounds so good! I’m sure my husband would be all over this dish 🙂 Anything with bacon will win him over! I like the addition of the red pepper!
Shirley says
Hi Jane–The garlic spread is amazing, especially with how a little of it can take the place of dairy. Even Son is saying, “Mom, you can make dish x dairy free by using some of this garlic spread.” And he’s right. And, yes, I’m all about red pepper this last year. It, too, does a great job of imitating cheese with its flavoring in certain applications, like my Brazilian Un-Cheese Rolls. 😉
I hope you’ll make this dish for hubby and report back! 🙂 Thanks,
Shirley
Sophie says
I have made your stunning bacon chicken dish & my husband Peter & oI loved it so much!
A huge thanks to the writer! 🙂 xxx
Shirley says
Hi Sophie–Yippeeeee! How absolutely wonderful that you call this Bacon Chicken stunning and both love it so much!
Thank you so much for sharing, dear! Big xoxoxo across the pond! 🙂
Shirley
Carol says
You had me at bacon! Don’t eat too much of it but I do love it. This sounds great.
Shirley says
Carol–A little bit can go a long way in its magic, huh? 😉 It really shines in this dish. 🙂
Thanks! xo,
Shirley
Stephanie says
Made this tonight (w/ some modifications). It turned out so great! Both hubby and I enjoyed it a lot. We both agreed that we needed more bacon though 🙂 Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe!
Shirley says
Hey Stephanie–I’m so shocked to see that I never replied to your comment here. 🙁 I’m so glad to hear that you made a version you enjoyed! That bacon problem is easily fixed. 😉
Shirley
Cheryl Harris says
this looks simply delicious!
Shirley says
Hi Cheryl–Thank you! It really is. 🙂 We’re enjoying leftovers now. I made a big batch. 😉
Shirley