Ingredients
-
4 large chicken breasts
-
8 oz cream cheese, softened
-
1 cup shredded mozzarella (or cheddar)
-
½ cup cooked, crumbled bacon
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
½ tsp paprika
-
½ tsp onion powder
-
Salt & black pepper to taste
-
1 cup shredded cheddar (for topping)
-
Fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Chicken
-
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Slice each chicken breast horizontally (but not all the way through) to create a pocket.
-
Lightly pound if needed to even thickness.
2️⃣ Make the Filling
In a bowl, mix:
-
Cream cheese
-
Mozzarella
-
Bacon
-
Garlic
-
Paprika
-
Onion powder
-
Salt & pepper
Mix until well combined.
3️⃣ Stuff & Arrange
-
Spoon filling into each chicken pocket.
-
Secure with toothpicks if needed.
-
Place in a greased baking dish.
4️⃣ Top & Bake
-
Sprinkle shredded cheddar generously over the top.
-
Bake 30–40 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temp.
-
Broil 2–3 minutes at the end for that golden bubbly top.
5️⃣ Rest & Serve
Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.