Description
Indulgent and flavorful chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy cheese and bacon filling, then coated in crunchy Doritos for an irresistible twist on traditional stuffed chicken. This dish combines savory and cheesy flavors with a satisfying crunch that’s perfect for a special dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Chicken and Filling:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Doritos Coating:
- 2 cups crushed Doritos (Nacho Cheese or Cool Ranch)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped parsley for garnish
- Ranch dressing or sour cream for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Cook the Bacon
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then cool and crumble into small pieces.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and form a smooth filling.
- Prepare the Chicken Breasts
- Butterfly each chicken breast by slicing horizontally to create a pocket, being careful not to cut all the way through. Place between plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag and pound to an even 1/2 inch thickness with a meat mallet to ensure even cooking.
- Stuff the Chicken Breasts
- Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the cream cheese and bacon filling into each chicken breast pocket. Spread the filling evenly inside, then press the edges together to close. Secure with toothpicks if needed to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
- Prepare the Breading Stations
- Place Doritos in a zip-top bag and crush into fine crumbs using a rolling pin, then transfer to a shallow dish. In a second bowl, mix flour with a pinch of salt and pepper. In a third bowl, whisk together eggs and milk until smooth.
- Coat the Stuffed Chicken
- First, coat each stuffed chicken breast in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Next, dip into the egg mixture until completely covered. Finally, press into the crushed Doritos, ensuring an even coating all around. Press gently to adhere the crumbs to the chicken.
- Bake the Chicken
- Place the coated chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, arranging them so they don’t touch. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the coating is crispy and golden brown.
- Let the Chicken Rest and Serve
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Remove toothpicks before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with ranch dressing or sour cream for dipping.
Notes
- For extra crunch, double-coat the chicken by dipping it back in the egg mixture and Doritos crumbs after the first coating.
- You can use different flavors of Doritos to vary the taste profile.
- To make the chicken extra crispy, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking time, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- This dish pairs well with a simple salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 625
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 245mg