Hunters Chicken is a British pub classic made with chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, baked in BBQ sauce and cheese. It’s a delicious and very comforting dish, that you can easily make at home.

hunters chicken - english pub classic with bbq sauce and cheese

WHAT IS HUNTERS CHICKEN

Hunter’s Chicken, a British pub classic, is an easy chicken recipe, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. It’s simple yet delicious dish – chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, smothered in barbecue sauce, and melted cheese. All made in just one baking dish, no frying or chopping needed!

hunters chicken - english pub classic with bbq sauce and cheese

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

  • Chicken breasts: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They provide a lean and tender base for your dish.
  • Bacon: Choose high-quality streaky bacon, preferably smoked.
  • Barbecue sauce: BBQ sauce plays a crucial role in this recipe. Choose high-quality store-bought barbecue sauce, or make a quick homemade BBQ sauce.
  • Cheese: A blend of grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese works wonders, creating a melty, gooey topping that adds a creamy richness to your Hunter’s Chicken.
hunters chicken - english pub classic with bbq sauce and cheese

HOW TO MAKE HUNTER’S CHICKEN

Please note: This is just an overview – the full ingredients and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1: Prepare the chicken.

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Wrap each chicken breast with 2 slices of bacon, ensuring they are securely wrapped around the chicken. Place the wrapped chicken breasts on a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Add the flavours.

Remove from the oven and generously brush each chicken breast with barbecue sauce, covering the entire surface. Sprinkle the cheese over the top of each chicken breast. Place the dish back in the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 3: Serve and enjoy!

Serve with chunky chips/fries or mashed potatoes and your favourite vegetables. Enjoy!

hunters chicken - english pub classic with bbq sauce and cheese

STORING AND FREEZING TIPS

Hunters Chicken is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, however, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at a low temperature to retain the dish’s texture and taste.

TOP TIPS

  • Quality ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best taste.
  • Don’t overcook: Keep a close eye on your Hunter’s Chicken while baking to prevent overcooking. The chicken should be cooked through, tender, and juicy.
  • Homemade BBQ sauce: High-quality barbecue sauce really makes a difference in this recipe, that’s why I always recommend using homemade BBQ sauce, which will ensure the best taste.
hunters chicken - english pub classic with bbq sauce and cheese

WHAT TO SERVE WITH HUNTERS CHICKEN

Hunter’s Chicken is a versatile dish that pairs wonderfully with various sides. For the authentic British experience, serve it hot with your favourite side dishes such as crispy chips/fries or mashed potatoes, and vegetables like peas, broccoli, and carrots.

You may also enjoy…

Juicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs with Baby Potatoes

The Best Homemade Cottage Pie

One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Tuscan Chicken

Authentic Chicken Quesadilla

Caprese Stuffed Chicken

FAQ

Can I prepare Hunter’s Chicken in advance for a dinner party?

Hunters Chicken tastes best prepared and baked fresh. however, you can bake chicken wrapped in bacon, then cool it down, and top with BBQ sauce and cheese. Refrigerate, then when you are ready, bake for a few minutes until hot.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, you can substitute chicken thighs if you prefer their juiciness. Just ensure they are boneless and skinless and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Hunter’s Chicken (with Bacon, BBQ Sauce and Cheese)

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Magda | Good Food Discoveries Course: DinnerCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

35

minutes
Calories

440

kcal
Total time

40

minutes

Hunters Chicken is a British pub classic made with chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, baked in BBQ sauce and cheese. It’s a delicious and very comforting dish, that you can easily make at home.

Cook Mode

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INGREDIENTS

  • 4 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 8 slices 8 streaky bacon (I prefer smoked)

  • 1 cup 1 (240 ml) barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)

  • 1 cup 1 (100 g) grated/shredded mozzarella cheese (or a mixture of mozzarella and cheddar)

  • Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)

  • Chips/fries or mashed potatoes, for serving

  • Vegetables (e.g. peas, broccoli, carrots), for serving

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
  • Wrap each chicken breast with 2 slices of bacon, ensuring the bacon is secure around the chicken.
  • Place wrapped chicken breasts on a baking dish. Place in the oven and cook for 30 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven. Drain chicken juices if needed. Brush each chicken breast generously with barbecue sauce, covering the entire breast. Sprinkle the cheese over the top of each chicken breast.
  • Place back in the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Serve the Hunter’s Chicken hot, accompanied by your favourite side dishes such as chips/fried or mashed potatoes and vegetables. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Hunters Chicken is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, however, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at a low temperature to retain the dish’s texture and taste.
  • High-quality barbecue sauce really makes a difference in this recipe, that’s why I always recommend using homemade BBQ sauce, which will ensure the best taste.
  • The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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