This yummy recipe will be one of your new family favorites. Even the kids will love it. Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice or mashed potatoes to take advantage of its delicious sauce.
12 chicken tender strips (or 1 1/2 - 2 lb. lean chicken breasts)
1 T. bacon fat
3/4 t. kosher salt (use 1/2 t. if using regular table salt)
2 t. ranch powder salad dressing (unsalted)
1 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper
10 strips thinly sliced bacon (1/2 c. chopped)
1/2 c. heavy cream or half and half
1/2 c. good quality grated sharp Cheddar cheese (gouda or mozzarella are good too)
1/4 c. chopped parsley
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Place bacon on a baking sheet; bake 15-17 minutes or until bacon is well crisped. Let cool; chop into 1/2 inch pieces. Reserve the bacon fat.
Sprinkle half of the bacon on the bottom of a 9x9 or 7x7 inch baking dish; place chicken tenders on top in rows.
Drizzle 1 T. bacon fat over the top; sprinkle on salt, ranch powder, garlic powder and black pepper. Sprinkle the remaining half of the cooked bacon on top. Pour 2-3 T. heavy cream on top.
Cover with aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees; bake another 35 minutes. Remove foil; use a fork to separate the chicken pieces so that they aren't stuck together.
Drizzle the remaining cream over the top of the chicken. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese over the top; bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove from the oven.
Serve, sprinkled with chopped parsley.
6 servings.