Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast

Living in the South, the only thing we love more than bacon is cream cheese. When you combine the two, you have Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast.

While this chicken breast stuffed with cheddar cheese and cream cheese might have a few more steps than an easy dump and go recipe, this bacon wrapped main dish is totally worth the effort. And, if you a really smart, you can double the recipe to put half in the freezer for another night.

Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast

For this recipe, you will need:

• 4 to 5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 4 chicken breasts)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 (8 ounce) tub cream cheese with chives and onion room temperature
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 12 slices bacon

How to cook Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast

Preparing the chicken stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon is not complicated but does have a few steps.

Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees while you prep the chicken. Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Mix the seasonings together. Set aside 1 teaspoon of the seasoning blend for the cheese mixture.

In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheese, and the reserved seasoning blend until evenly mixed. This will be the cheese filling for the stuffed chicken.

Slice each chicken breast through the middle and press open.

Pounding the chicken breast flat is optional but does help to tenderized the chicken. 

The best way to pound the chicken breast with less mess is to place it inside a freezer bag. You could also place the sliced chicken breast between pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper.

Once the chicken is open, place a scoop of the cheese mixture into the middles of the chicken.

Roll up the chicken around the cheese mixture and sprinkle it with the reserved seasoning.

Wrap the bacon around the chicken, using about two slices of bacon per chicken breast, tucking the ends of the bacon under the bottom of the chicken.

Set the chicken into the prepared baking dish and bake the bacon-wrapped stuffed chicken breast for 45 to 60 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 170 degrees.

Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes prior to serving.

What can you stuff in chicken breast?

This recipe for stuffed chicken breast is very adaptable because there are many things that you can stuff in chicken breast.

Some ideas include spinach and feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese, broccoli and cheddar cheese, or prosciutto and provolone cheese.

You can also try stuffing chicken with mushrooms, onions, garlic, or different types of herbs like rosemary or thyme.

For a healthier option, you can stuff chicken with vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant.

How do you hold stuffed chicken together?

For this recipe, we are using bacon to wrap the chicken breast, holding it together. Some of the juices may leak from the chicken but you can spoon the liquid over the chicken like a sauce for added flavor.

If you prefer not to use bacon to hold stuffed chicken together, you can use kitchen twine, toothpicks, or dry spaghetti. If you don’t have kitchen twine, unflavored dental floss can be used as a substitute.

Toothpicks can be used to seal the openings of the chicken breast pockets after stuffing them with the desired ingredients.

Alternatively, dry spaghetti can be used in place of toothpicks as it is sturdy enough to hold things together and can be broken into any length needed.

How do you know when stuffed chicken breast is cooked?

To know when stuffed chicken breast is cooked, it is important to check its internal temperature using an instant read meat thermometer.

The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the meat, including the stuffing, to ensure that it is fully cooked and safe to eat. 

It is crucial to avoid overcooking bacon wrapped stuffed chicken breast as it can become dry and tough. Once the chicken reaches the desired internal temperature, it should be removed from the heat source and allowed to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Can bacon wrapped chicken still be pink?

Bacon-wrapped chicken can still be pink even if it is fully cooked due to the nitrates in the bacon.

The color of the meat is not a reliable indicator of doneness or safety. The only way to make sure bacon-wrapped chicken is fully cooked is to check its internal temperature using a meat thermometer.

What to serve with Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast?

There are many side dishes that can complement bacon-wrapped stuffed chicken breast.

Here are a few suggestions:

Roasted vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and broccoli can be a great side dish for bacon-wrapped stuffed chicken breast. Our family loves Green Bean Almondine and mashed potatoes with this recipe.

A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can also balance the richness of the bacon-wrapped chicken breast. Adding ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado can make the salad more substantial.

Grilled or roasted asparagus is another delicious side dish that pairs well with bacon-wrapped chicken breast. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper before cooking.

Creamy mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes can be a comforting side dish for bacon-wrapped chicken breast. Adding herbs like chives or parsley can add extra flavor.

Rice pilaf or quinoa salad can be a healthy and flavorful side dish. Adding ingredients like dried cranberries, nuts, or feta cheese can add texture and flavor.