Cream Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken is a flavorful and indulgent dish that combines juicy chicken breasts, a creamy and smoky bacon filling, and a crunchy Doritos crust. This dish is a fun and delicious twist on traditional chicken, and it’s sure to impress anyone who loves savory, cheesy, and crispy flavors.
Here’s how you can make Cream Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken:
Cream Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
For the Cream Cheese & Bacon Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled (about 4-5 strips)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra cheesy goodness)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh chives or green onions, chopped (optional)
For the Doritos Coating:
- 2 cups Doritos chips, crushed (choose your favorite flavor, such as Classic, Cool Ranch, or Spicy Sweet Chili)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
Instructions:
1. Prep the Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the chicken breasts on a clean surface. Use a sharp knife to cut a pocket in the center of each chicken breast. Be careful not to cut all the way through the chicken. You want to create a space to stuff the filling.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Make the Cream Cheese & Bacon Filling:
- In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese (if using), garlic powder, and paprika. Stir until well combined. If you’re using chives or green onions, add them in as well.
- Stuff each chicken breast with the cream cheese and bacon mixture. You can use toothpicks to secure the opening of the chicken if needed.
3. Prepare the Doritos Coating:
- Crush the Doritos chips into small pieces. You can do this by placing them in a plastic bag and using a rolling pin, or by pulsing them in a food processor. The chips should be finely crushed but still with some texture.
- Set up a breading station:
- In one shallow bowl, place the flour.
- In another bowl, beat the egg.
- In a third bowl, add the crushed Doritos.
4. Coat the Chicken:
- First, dip each stuffed chicken breast into the flour, coating it evenly.
- Then dip the floured chicken into the egg, allowing any excess egg to drip off.
- Finally, coat the chicken in the crushed Doritos, pressing gently to make sure the chips stick well to the surface.
5. Cook the Chicken:
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the coated chicken breasts to the skillet and sear each side for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
- After searing, transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). The Doritos coating should be crisp and golden.
6. Serve:
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Slice the chicken and serve it with your favorite sides like a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes.
Tips:
- Customize the Filling: Feel free to add other ingredients to the filling, like chopped spinach, mushrooms, or jalapeños, for added flavor.
- Doritos Flavor: Experiment with different flavors of Doritos to customize the taste. Spicy Sweet Chili or Cool Ranch could add a fun twist.
- Crispy Coating: If you want the coating extra crispy, you can briefly fry the chicken in the skillet after breading it and before baking. This step is optional but will add extra crunch.
Storage:
- Leftovers: Store any leftover Cream Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To keep the coating crispy, reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.
