We took the grandkids camping last spring—our first real outdoor adventure together since they were old enough to help set up the tent without turning it into a kite. My husband and I picked a quiet site by the lake, tucked beneath tall pines, with just enough space for a portable grill, a folding table, and all the cooler bags I packed with far too much food. I’d planned the menu weeks in advance, thinking of simple meals we could cook over the fire or grill without a fuss.
On our second night, after a long day of fishing and exploring the trails, I brought out three marinated chicken breasts I’d packed in a zip bag with BBQ sauce. The boys helped me gather firewood while my daughter-in-law diced the toppings—onions, tomatoes, bacon we’d already crisped at home just to save time.
I grilled the chicken while we passed around stories and marshmallows. Once it was done, I layered it up, added cheese, and placed the pan under our little camp broiler (a fancy name for a metal rack over glowing coals).
We sat on folding chairs and paper plates balanced on our knees, biting into melty, smoky chicken as the last light dipped below the trees. Everyone was quiet for a moment. Not because they were tired—just because their mouths were full.
Short Description
BBQ Bacon Cheese Chicken is a smoky, savory dish featuring grilled chicken smothered in BBQ sauce, caramelized onions, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and melted Colby-Jack cheese—finished under the broiler for an irresistible finish.
Key Ingredients
Main:
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup + 3 tbsp BBQ sauce (divided)
Toppings:
- ½ medium yellow onion, diced
- 6 strips bacon, chopped
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups Colby-Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 tbsp green onions, diced
Tools Needed
- Grill or stovetop grill pan
- Skillet (oven-safe preferred)
- Zip-close bag or meat mallet
- Tongs
- Broiler or oven with broil setting
- Paper towels
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prep and Grill the Chicken
Pound the chicken to even thickness in a zip-close bag for even cooking. Add ½ cup of BBQ sauce and massage to coat. Preheat the grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grates. Grill chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until it reaches 160°F internally.
Step 2: Caramelize the Onions and Cook the Bacon
While the chicken grills, heat a skillet over medium-high. Sauté the diced onions until soft and golden. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
Step 3: Assemble the Dish
Preheat your broiler. Transfer grilled chicken to an oven-safe skillet or pan. Spoon the remaining 3 tbsp BBQ sauce over the chicken. Layer with caramelized onions, bacon, tomatoes, and a generous sprinkle of cheese.
Step 4: Broil Until Bubbly
Place the skillet under the broiler for 3–4 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbling with golden edges.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Top with fresh green onions before serving. Let it rest a minute before diving in—if you can wait that long.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Savory Perfection: The combination of smoky BBQ, crisp bacon, and gooey cheese creates a deeply satisfying flavor.
Crowd Favorite: Always a hit at family dinners, casual get-togethers, or backyard barbecues.
Simple Prep: Straightforward grilling and broiling with everyday ingredients.
High-Protein & Gluten-Free Friendly: Great option for protein-packed meals without breading or flour.
Visually Appealing: That melted cheese and bacon topping looks as good as it tastes.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Overcooking the Chicken: Grilling too long dries out the meat. Use a meat thermometer and pull it at 160°F.
Skipping the Broiler Step: Melting the cheese under high heat adds flavor and texture. Don’t skip it—it transforms the dish.
Using Cold Ingredients: Let bacon, tomatoes, and onions come to room temperature before topping the chicken. This ensures even heating.
Crowding the Skillet: Use an appropriately sized pan to allow even broiling. Overlapping the chicken will prevent the cheese from bubbling.
Too Much Sauce: Go light with the second layer of BBQ sauce or it might overpower the other toppings.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve as a main dish with sides like garlic mashed potatoes, grilled corn, or roasted green beans.
For a casual meal, slice it and serve over toasted buns or as a BBQ chicken salad topping.
Pair with cold drinks like iced tea, lemonade, or a light lager.
Works well in family-style or buffet-style dinners—easy to slice and serve.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm in a 325°F oven for 10–15 minutes to restore texture. Microwave works in a pinch, but the cheese may soften too much.
Avoid Freezing: The fresh toppings and cheese don’t hold up well after thawing.
FAQs
1. Can I make this with chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless thighs work great. Just trim the fat and adjust cooking time since they cook faster.
2. What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
Use your favorite! I prefer a slightly smoky, sweet blend, but spicy versions work well too.
3. Can I cook this entirely in the oven?
Absolutely. Bake the chicken at 400°F for about 20–25 minutes, then proceed with toppings and broil.
4. How can I make this dish spicier?
Add sliced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne to the topping mix before broiling.
5. What cheese substitutes work if I don’t have Colby-Jack?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend will all melt nicely and taste delicious.
Tips & Tricks
Let the grilled chicken rest a minute before broiling—it helps retain juices.
Use pre-shredded cheese for convenience but shred your own for best melt.
Don’t overcook the bacon—it continues to crisp up slightly during broiling.
Add a thin layer of BBQ sauce to the pan before placing the chicken for extra moisture.
Recipe Variations
Tex-Mex Style: Swap BBQ sauce for chipotle sauce, use pepper jack cheese, and add black beans and corn to the topping.
Hawaiian Twist: Add diced pineapple along with tomatoes and drizzle with a teriyaki-BBQ blend.
Vegetable-Loaded: Toss in sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach before adding cheese.
Buffalo BBQ Fusion: Mix hot sauce into the BBQ base and top with blue cheese crumbles instead of Colby-Jack.
Final Thoughts
That camping trip didn’t go exactly to plan – our air mattress had a slow leak, and one of the boys dropped his shoe in the lake – but no one seems to remember those parts. What stuck was the meal, the laughter, and the smell of bacon and BBQ drifting through the woods. Sometimes a hot plate of food under the open sky tastes better than anything from a polished kitchen.
Back at home, I’ve made that chicken again, indoors this time, but every bite still reminds me of that fire-crackling evening by the lake, and the joy of cooking with a little dirt on your hands and family all around.
BBQ Bacon Cheese Chicken
Print ThisIngredients
- Main:
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup + 3 tbsp BBQ sauce (divided)
- Toppings:
- ½ medium yellow onion, diced
- 6 strips bacon, chopped
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups Colby-Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 tbsp green onions, diced
Instructions
Step 1: Prep and Grill the Chicken
Pound chicken in a zip-close bag to even thickness. Add ½ cup BBQ sauce and coat well. Grill over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side until it hits 160°F.
Step 2: Cook Onions and Bacon
Sauté diced onions in a hot skillet until golden. Remove, then cook bacon in the same pan until crisp. Drain on paper towels.
Step 3: Assemble
Preheat broiler. Place grilled chicken in an oven-safe pan. Add 3 tbsp BBQ sauce, then layer with onions, bacon, tomatoes, and cheese.
Step 4: Broil
Broil 3–4 minutes until cheese melts and edges bubble.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Top with green onions. Let rest briefly before serving.
