Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken

Description:

Get ready for a deliciously savory and crispy dish with this Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken! Juicy chicken breasts are stuffed with a creamy, flavorful mixture of cream cheese, bacon, and spices, then coated in crushed Doritos for the ultimate crunch. The combination of creamy, smoky, and cheesy filling, with the crispy Dorito crust, is a sure way to satisfy your cravings. Perfect for dinner or a crowd-pleasing weeknight meal!

Origin:

This fun and inventive recipe puts a new spin on the classic stuffed chicken, incorporating the popular snack food, Doritos, into the coating. It’s a fusion of flavors that brings together creamy cheese, savory bacon, and the beloved crunch of Doritos, making it a hit in modern comfort food recipes.

Ingredients:

For the chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (80g) cooked bacon, crumbled (about 4 slices)
• 1/4 cup (60g) green onions, finely chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the coating:

• 2 cups (200g) Doritos (any flavor, but classic Nacho Cheese works best), crushed into small pieces
• 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten

For the garnish (optional):

• Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Sour cream or ranch dressing (for dipping)

Optional Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (50g) shredded cheddar cheese to mix with the cream cheese filling for an extra cheesy bite
• Hot sauce or sriracha to add a spicy kick to the filling or coating

Instructions:

1. Prepare the chicken:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Carefully slice each chicken breast horizontally to create a pocket for the filling. Make sure you don’t cut all the way through—just enough to make a deep pocket.
2. Make the cream cheese filling:
   • In a medium-sized bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
   • If you want a cheesier filling, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese at this point.
3. Stuff the chicken:
   • Take a generous portion of the cream cheese mixture and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Secure the opening with toothpicks to hold the filling inside while baking.
4. Prepare the coating:
   • Crush the Doritos into small, bite-sized pieces using a food processor or by placing them in a ziplock bag and gently smashing them with a rolling pin.
   • Set up a breading station: in one shallow dish, place the flour; in another shallow dish, beat the eggs; and in a third shallow dish, place the crushed Doritos.
5. Coat the chicken:
   • Dip each stuffed chicken breast first in the flour, making sure it’s coated evenly, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat in the crushed Doritos, pressing gently to make sure the coating sticks well.
6. Bake the chicken:
   • Place the coated chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased.
   • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C) and the Doritos coating is golden brown and crispy.
7. Serve:
   • Remove the toothpicks from the chicken and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired.
   • Serve with a side of sour cream or ranch dressing for dipping.

Tips for Success:

• Proper stuffing: Be sure to stuff the chicken breasts with enough filling but don’t overstuff them to avoid the filling spilling out while cooking.
• Dorito crunch: The more crushed your Doritos are, the better the coating will adhere to the chicken. For a thicker, crunchier crust, you can coat the chicken twice (once in the egg and then again in the Doritos).
• Baking time: If the chicken breasts are larger, they might need a few extra minutes to cook all the way through. Always check the internal temperature to ensure it’s safe to eat.
• Flavor variations: Experiment with different flavored Doritos, such as Cool Ranch or Spicy Nacho, to add a fun twist to the dish.

Recommendations:

• Serve this dish with a simple side salad, roasted vegetables, or French fries for a complete meal.
• For a spicier version, drizzle some sriracha over the chicken before serving or mix some into the cream cheese filling for an extra kick.

Nutrition (per serving, based on 4 servings):

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Protein: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated fat: 9g
• Cholesterol: 130mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 900mg

(Note: Nutritional values may vary depending on ingredient brands and portion sizes.)