Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 pounds total)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400ºF. If your chicken breasts are very thick or uneven in thickness, use a mallet or rolling pin to first pound them out to a more even thickness. Slice the chicken breasts in half, so you have four pieces.
Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pat the chicken dry with paper towel, then sprinkle the seasoning mix over both sides of each piece of chicken.
Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a baking dish, then spoon 1 Tbsp BBQ sauce over top of each piece, spreading it from edge to edge to cover the chicken.
Bake the chicken in the preheated 400ºF oven for about 18 minutes (less for smaller or thinner pieces).
Remove the chicken from the oven and top each piece with shredded cheddar. Return the chicken to the oven and continue baking for five minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF.
After baking the chicken, let the chicken rest for five minutes, then top with diced red onion and chopped cilantro just before serving.
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Smoked paprika adds a deep, wood-fired flavor without a smoker or grill — it's the secret to that irresistible BBQ-forward taste.
- Shredded cheddar melts into a gooey, golden crust that locks in moisture and adds rich, savory depth to every bite.
- Fresh cilantro brightens the entire dish and balances the smoky, cheesy richness with a clean herbal finish.
- BBQ sauce serves double duty as a marinade-like coating that caramelizes in the oven, creating a sticky, flavorful glaze.
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures uniform cooking so every piece stays juicy and reaches a safe internal temperature.
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Each serving provides roughly 35 grams of high-quality protein from lean chicken breast, making this a fantastic muscle-building meal.
- Cheddar cheese contributes a meaningful dose of calcium per serving, supporting bone health alongside the protein-rich chicken.
- The BBQ sauce adds a modest amount of added sugar, so opting for a lower-sugar brand can easily reduce the overall carbohydrate count.
- Chicken breast is naturally low in saturated fat compared to thighs, keeping this cheesy dish relatively heart-friendly.
- Smoked paprika is rich in antioxidants including vitamin A precursors, adding a small but notable nutritional bonus to the spice blend.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories320
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat13 g72 g18.06%
- Saturated Fat7 g20 g35%
- Trans Fat0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat3.5 g
- Cholesterol115 mg300 mg38.33%
- Sodium620 mg2300 mg26.96%
- Total Carbohydrate9 g275 g3.27%
- Dietary Fiber0.5 g28 g1.79%
- Total Sugars7 g
- Added Sugars6 g50 g12%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein38 g50 g76%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)12 mcg20 mcg60%
- Calcium230 mg1300 mg17.69%
- Iron1.2 mg18 mg6.67%
- Potassium520 mg4700 mg11.06%
- Vitamin A780 mcg900 mcg86.67%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)3 mg90 mg3.33%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)1 mg15 mg6.67%
- Vitamin K5 mcg120 mcg4.17%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.1 mg1.2 mg8.33%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.2 mg1.3 mg15.38%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)14 mg16 mg87.5%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)1.1 mg1.7 mg64.71%
- Folate12 mcg400 mcg3%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)0.5 mcg2.4 mcg20.83%
- Biotin4 mcg30 mcg13.33%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.8 mg5 mg36%
- Choline110 mg550 mg20%
- Phosphorus400 mg1250 mg32%
- Iodine12 mcg150 mcg8%
- Magnesium42 mg420 mg10%
- Zinc2.1 mg11 mg19.09%
- Selenium38 mcg55 mcg69.09%
- Copper0.07 mg0.9 mg7.78%
- Manganese0.08 mg2.3 mg3.48%
- Chromium2 mcg35 mcg5.71%
- Molybdenum8 mcg45 mcg17.78%
- Chloride210 mg2300 mg9.13%
