bacon barbecue chicken loaf

Ingredients

• Ingredients

  for 6 servings

  • 5 chicken breasts

  • 1 tablespoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder

  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika

  • 1 tablespoon onion powder

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • 1 teaspoon pepper

  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 20 slices bacon

  • 1 cup BBQ sauce, divided

  • 10 slices cheddar cheese

  • 2 green bell peppers, sliced

  • ½ red onion, sliced

  • 2 red bell peppers, sliced

 Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

• Cut each chicken breast in half crosswise, then cut the larger half again horizontally, creating 3 cutlets. Transfer to a large bowl.

• In a small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, chili powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine.

• Pour the spice mix over the chicken cutlets and toss to coat completely in the seasoning. Set the chicken aside.

• Arrange the bacon slices in a 9x5-inch (23x13-cm) loaf pan, making sure the bottom and sides are fully covered, and that the strips hang over the sides.

• Layer in 4 seasoned chicken cutlets, 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce, 5 slices of cheddar cheese, 4 more chicken cutlets, another 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce, the green pepper, onion, 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce, the red pepper, 5 remaining cheese slices, and the remaining chicken. Then, wrap the overhanging strips of bacon over the top of the loaf.

• Cover the loaf with foil and bake for 1 hour. Then remove the foil, drain any excess fat, and bake for another 30 minutes uncovered, making sure the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is brown and crispy.

• Remove the bacon loaf from the oven and turn on the broiler. Invert the loaf onto a wire rack set atop a baking sheet and baste the loaf with the remaining barbecue sauce.

• Broil for 5 minutes, until the glaze dries slightly.

• Slice and serve with rolls or other barbecue party food.

• Enjoy!