If you’re looking for a delicious, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s both juicy and packed with flavor, these Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breasts are exactly what you need. Creamy cheese filling, savory garlic, and crispy bacon make this dish an irresistible combination that’s simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for guests. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 slices of bacon (2 per breast)
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped spinach or fresh herbs (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp paprika or smoked paprika (optional)
Toothpicks (to secure bacon)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the filling:
In a bowl, mix cream cheese, shredded cheese, garlic, spinach (or herbs), salt, and pepper until well combined.Prepare the chicken:
Butterfly each chicken breast by slicing horizontally but not all the way through, then open it like a book.
Season the inside with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Stuff the chicken:
Spread the cheese mixture evenly inside each breast, then fold the chicken back over.Wrap with bacon:
Wrap each stuffed chicken breast with 2 slices of bacon, securing with toothpicks if needed.Bake:
Place the wrapped chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C) and bacon is crispy.
Optional broil:
For extra crispy bacon, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching carefully.
Note:
For extra flavor, try adding your favorite herbs or a pinch of smoked paprika to the cheese filling. Make sure to secure the bacon well with toothpicks to keep everything wrapped during baking. Let the chicken rest a few minutes before slicing to keep it juicy!