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A smiling woman in a red top holds a plate with broccoli, mashed potatoes, and casserole in a bright kitchen, with a casserole dish and sunflowers on the counter.
Melissa Jo

Captain Rodney’s Chicken Bake

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Tender, seasoned chicken breasts are covered with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, bacon, green onions, and sweet red pepper jelly. The entire chicken bake is finished with extra cheese and a buttery Ritz cracker topping, then baked until bubbly, golden, and absolutely irresistible.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 761

Ingredients
  

Chicken
Creamy Topping
Ritz Cracker Topping
  • ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Extra bacon bits for sprinkling
  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter melted

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Chicken
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Butterfly each chicken breast to create six thinner pieces of chicken, then arrange them in a single layer inside the prepared baking dish.
  3. Season both sides of the chicken with 1½ teaspoons Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning and a few generous shakes of Worcestershire sauce. Rub the seasoning and Worcestershire sauce all over the chicken so every piece is evenly coated.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Topping
  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, red pepper jelly, Worcestershire sauce, 1½ cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, bacon, sliced green onions, and 1 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning.
  2. Mix everything together until the ingredients are evenly combined and the mixture is creamy.
Step 3: Assemble the Chicken Bake
  1. Spread the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts right inside the baking dish. Make sure each piece of chicken gets plenty of the creamy topping.
  2. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top. Finish with a few additional bacon bits.
Step 4: Make the Ritz Cracker Topping
  1. Using the same mixing bowl—because there is no reason to dirty another one—add the crushed Ritz crackers and melted salted butter.
  2. Stir until all the cracker crumbs are evenly coated in the butter.
Step 5: Finish the Casserole
  1. Sprinkle the buttery Ritz cracker mixture evenly over the entire chicken bake.
Step 6: Bake
  1. Place the baking dish on the lower-middle oven rack.
  2. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 35–40 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  3. During the final 5 minutes of baking, carefully move the casserole to a higher oven rack. This will help the buttery Ritz cracker topping become lightly browned and crispy.
  4. Keep an eye on it so the crackers do not burn.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
  1. Remove the chicken bake from the oven and allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
  2. Garnish with additional sliced green onions, if desired, and spoon some of that creamy, cheesy topping over each piece of chicken.
  3. Serve and enjoy!

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Nutrition

Serving: 6 peopleCalories: 761kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 63gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 24gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 229mgSodium: 801mgPotassium: 963mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1202IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 370mgIron: 3mg

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