Cheesy Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast: An Irresistible Comfort Food Delight

Are you ready to elevate your chicken dinner game? Look no further! This recipe for Cheesy Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast is guaranteed to become a family favorite. Tender, juicy chicken breasts are generously filled with a creamy, cheesy mixture studded with crispy bacon, creating a flavor explosion in every bite. It’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. Get ready to experience comfort food at its finest!

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Flavorful:** The combination of chicken, cheese, bacon, and seasonings creates an irresistible flavor profile.
* **Easy to Make:** Despite looking impressive, this recipe is surprisingly simple and straightforward.
* **Versatile:** You can customize the filling with your favorite cheeses, herbs, and spices.
* **Impressive Presentation:** These stuffed chicken breasts are elegant enough to serve to guests.
* **Family-Friendly:** Even picky eaters will love this cheesy, bacon-filled delight.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Chicken Breasts:** 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each)
* **Bacon:** 6 slices, cooked until crispy and crumbled
* **Cream Cheese:** 4 ounces, softened
* **Cheddar Cheese:** 1 cup, shredded
* **Monterey Jack Cheese:** 1/2 cup, shredded (optional, but adds a nice flavor)
* **Green Onions:** 2-3, thinly sliced
* **Garlic Powder:** 1 teaspoon
* **Onion Powder:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Paprika:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Salt:** 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste)
* **Black Pepper:** 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste)
* **Olive Oil:** 1 tablespoon (or cooking spray)
* **Optional:** Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Cutting board
* Sharp knife
* Mixing bowl
* Baking dish (9×13 inch)
* Meat mallet (optional, for tenderizing chicken)
* Aluminum foil (optional, for covering the baking dish)

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### 1. Prepare the Bacon

Cook the bacon until crispy. You can do this in a skillet over medium heat, in the oven (400°F/200°C for 15-20 minutes), or in the microwave using a microwave-safe bacon cooker. Once cooked, drain the bacon on paper towels and crumble it into small pieces. Set aside to cool slightly.

### 2. Prepare the Chicken Breasts

* **Pound the Chicken (Optional):** Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a large ziplock bag. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This will help the chicken cook evenly and make it easier to stuff. Be careful not to pound it too thin.
* **Create a Pocket:** Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a horizontal slit into the side of each chicken breast, creating a pocket. Be careful not to cut all the way through the chicken. You want to create a pouch that you can fill with the cheese mixture.

### 3. Make the Cheesy Bacon Filling

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese (if using), crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.

### 4. Stuff the Chicken Breasts

Spoon the cheese and bacon mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast, dividing it evenly. Use your fingers to gently press the filling into the chicken. Don’t overstuff the chicken, as the cheese may melt and ooze out during baking. If you have any leftover filling, you can spread it over the top of the chicken breasts.

### 5. Bake the Chicken Breasts

* Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
* Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray. Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the baking dish.
* Drizzle the chicken breasts with a little olive oil or spray them with cooking spray. This will help them brown nicely.
* **Optional:** Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes of baking. This will help keep the chicken moist. Remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking to allow the chicken to brown.
* Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer. The juices should run clear when you pierce the chicken with a fork.

### 6. Rest and Serve

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken breast.

Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

## Tips for Success

* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** Using good quality bacon and cheese will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish.
* **Don’t Overstuff the Chicken:** Overfilling the chicken breasts can cause the cheese to melt and leak out during baking.
* **Use a Meat Thermometer:** A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure that the chicken is cooked through.
* **Let the Chicken Rest:** Allowing the chicken to rest after baking will help keep it moist and tender.
* **Get Creative with the Filling:** Feel free to add other ingredients to the filling, such as chopped vegetables, herbs, or spices.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Cheese:** Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Gruyere, mozzarella, or pepper jack.
* **Vegetables:** Add chopped vegetables to the filling, such as spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
* **Herbs and Spices:** Add fresh or dried herbs and spices to the filling, such as thyme, rosemary, or oregano.
* **Sauce:** Serve the chicken breasts with a sauce, such as a creamy mushroom sauce, a lemon butter sauce, or a BBQ sauce.
* **Breadcrumbs:** Coat the chicken breasts in breadcrumbs before baking for a crispy crust.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if you want to make this recipe gluten-free.
* **Different Protein:** While this recipe is written for chicken, you could also use pork loin or turkey breast.

## Serving Suggestions

This Cheesy Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast is delicious served with a variety of sides. Here are a few suggestions:

* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted broccoli, asparagus, carrots, or Brussels sprouts.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** Creamy mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes.
* **Rice:** White rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
* **Pasta:** Buttered noodles or pasta with a light sauce.
* **Green Beans:** Steamed or sauteed green beans.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

You can prepare the stuffed chicken breasts ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Simply stuff the chicken breasts as directed and then cover them tightly with plastic wrap. When you’re ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed.

## Storage Instructions

Store leftover Cheesy Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or skillet until heated through.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 400-500 per serving (depending on the ingredients and portion size)
* Protein: 40-50 grams
* Fat: 20-30 grams
* Carbohydrates: 5-10 grams

## Cheesy Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe Card

**Yields:** 4 servings
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 35 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-8 ounces each)
* 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
* 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
* 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
* 1/2 teaspoon paprika
* 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
* 1 tablespoon olive oil (or cooking spray)
* Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook bacon until crispy, drain, and crumble.
3. Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness (optional).
4. Cut a horizontal slit into the side of each chicken breast to create a pocket.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese (if using), bacon, green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
6. Spoon the cheese mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast.
7. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and place the stuffed chicken breasts in the dish.
8. Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil or spray with cooking spray.
9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes of baking (optional).
10. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
11. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
12. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

Enjoy this delectable Cheesy Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone wanting more. Don’t forget to share your creations and tag us on social media! Happy cooking!