Unofficial Slimming World Hunters Chicken Recipe

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This unofficial Slimming World hunters chicken recipe is classic pub grub, perfect for the whole family. Tender chicken breasts are wrapped in lean back bacon, and smothered in a homemade BBQ sauce with golden cheese.

If you love classic pub grub meals like hunter's chicken recipes, but you're looking for healthier options, then this recipe is for you!

This indulgent combination of succulent chicken, salty bacon, tangy barbecue sauce, with golden melted cheese is the perfect family recipe.

Whether you're a kitchen whizz or a cooking novice, it's very simple to make - especially with my easy step-by-step instructions!

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✔️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
🛒 Ingredient Notes
📋 Instructions
👩‍🍳 Substitutions
⚖️ Variations
🔪 Equipment
❄️ Storage
💡Pro Tips
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
❓ FAQ
➕ More Slimming World Recipes
🍽️Pairing
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

✔️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

Here are a few reasons why we think this easy dinner chicken will become your family favourite too!

It's versatile with any herbs and spices
No special food or ingredients required
It's a crowd pleaser that everyone loves
It's so easy to make - ideal for busy weeknights
You'll make your own BBQ sauce, so you know what's in it with no preservatives, unlike shop-bought BBQ sauce

🛒 Ingredient Notes

Please see the printable recipe card with exact ingredient quantities and preparation instructions at the bottom of this page.

Large chicken breasts - skin removed for fewer calories, or opt for boneless chicken thighs which tend to be juicier with more flavour

Bacon medallions - this is a smoked or unsmoked lean bacon medallion with any visible fat removed. If using streaky bacon on a slimming club plan, it will need counting

Low fat cheddar - this is grated mature cheddar in low or reduced fat if counting your calories and fat content for weight loss

Lighter mozzarella - the grated cheese type to add a delicious stringy cheese texture

For the Sauce

Low calorie cooking oil spray - I use just a few sprays of Frylight

Onion - any white or red onion to add depth and texture

Garlic Cloves - for a more complex taste, or swap for garlic powder if preferred

Vinegars - I use balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce (or Henderson's Relish for gluten free) for acidity and sweetness.

Mustard powder - for a warming taste to the sauce

Sweet paprika - this creates a smoky BBQ flavour, or opt for smoked paprika and omit the liquid smoke

Passata - this is the tomato base of the delicious homemade barbecue sauce

Tomato puree - this enhances the sweet tomato flavour, or you could opt for sundried tomato paste

Date syrup - I use this to add natural sweetness which has a higher fibre content, or you could use sweetener, honey, maple syrup or light soft brown sugar

Liquid smoke - this is optional for a smokey bbq sauce flavour

Salt and pepper - to taste

📋 Instructions

1. First, preheat your oven to 180c fan, 200c conventional, or gas mark 6.

Now wrap the top of each chicken breast with 2 slices of lean bacon.

2. Place them in an oven-proof dish and bake for 25 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, saute the diced onions and minced garlic with the oil spray in a large frying pan until softened.

4. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and simmer over medium to high heat for 10-15 minutes until you have a thick sauce.

5. Smother the sauce on top of the chicken breasts.

6. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top and bake for a final 15 minutes, then garnish with fresh herbs of your choice.

Tip: You could bake the chicken breasts in individual dishes for easy serving if preferred.

👩‍🍳 Substitutions

Depending on your dietary needs, here are a few simple swaps you can make:

Chicken - swap for Quorn vegetarian fillets instead, or a traditional chicken cacciatore like game, etc
Bacon - you can use smoky or unsmoked, or swap for a vegan or vegetarian bacon option
Cheese - opt for a vegetarian sliced cheese or vegan cheese
Sauce - if not following a healthy diet plan, you could swap for ready made BBQ sauce as I do in this pulled pork recipe

⚖️ Variations

Here are some different ways you can enhance and truly personalise this recipe:

Spicy - add some chilli powder, jalapenos, Sriracha, or hot sauce
Deluxe - top with some crispy onions and grated parmesan
Extra veggies - add some diced red pepper, mushrooms, grated courgettes, etc

🔪 Equipment

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Ovenproof dish - or any baking dish or roasting dish big enough for 4 chicken breast

Cheese grater - If you want to spread your cheese even further, I recommend using a fine grater

Frying pan - to saute the onions and thicken the sauce

Chopping board and sharp knife - to trim any fat from the bacon

❄️ Storage

Storing - we prefer eating this recipe fresh, but it can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Freezing - cool to room temperature and again, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Reheating - If you want to eat the next day, defrost in the fridge if required and microwave until piping hot, or in the oven for 20 minutes while covered.

💡Pro Tips

For fewer calories, use skinless chicken breasts and remove fat from bacon
For a richer flavour, or thighs which are juicier
Opt for smoky bacon for extra flavour if desired
Use a mix of mozzarella and cheddar for a gooey and flavoursome cheesy top
When baking your bacon-wrapped chicken, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Potatoes - enjoy with Slimming world chips, mashed potatoes, or a roast potato such as OXO roasties, baked potato, crushed baby potatoes, Hasselback new potatoes

Salad - we enjoy it with a fresh leafy green side salad

Steamed vegetables - tuck in with a side of steamed green beans, garden peas, broccoli, cauliflower or carrots

❓ FAQ

Is Hunters chicken healthy?

Hunters chicken can be healthy when opting for low fat cheese, fat removed from your bacon and skin from the chicken.

Is hunters chicken gluten free?

Hunters chicken can be gluten free if swapping Worcestershire sauce for a GF alternative or using a suitable BBQ sauce.

➕ More Slimming World Recipes

Looking for other healthy dinner ideas like this? Try these:

🍽️Pairing

Here is a choice of sides to choose from that pair up beautifully with hunters chicken:

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