This Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken is a fun and flavorful twist on your classic stuffed chicken. With a crispy Doritos coating and a creamy bacon filling, this dish is sure to be a hit for family dinners or a special gathering. It’s easy to prepare, full of flavor, and has just the right amount of crunch from the nacho cheese Doritos!
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups crushed Doritos (nacho cheese flavor)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish to prevent the chicken from sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, crumbled bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined. The cream cheese mixture should be smooth and evenly distributed with the bacon bits.
Step 3: Prepare the Chicken Breasts
Carefully cut a pocket into each chicken breast by slicing horizontally through the thickest part, making sure not to cut all the way through. This will create a space for the cream cheese and bacon filling.
Step 4: Stuff the Chicken
Spoon the cream cheese and bacon mixture into each pocket of the chicken breasts. Ensure the filling is evenly distributed among the chicken. If needed, use toothpicks to secure the edges and prevent the filling from spilling out during baking.
Step 5: Coat the Chicken with Doritos
Place the crushed Doritos on a plate. Press each stuffed chicken breast into the crushed Doritos, ensuring both sides are coated. The crumbs should stick well to the chicken, especially on the outer surface.
Step 6: Bake the Chicken
Place the Doritos-coated chicken breasts in the greased baking dish. Lightly brush the tops with olive oil to help them crisp up while baking.
Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The Doritos coating should be golden and crispy, and the cream cheese filling should be hot and melted.
Step 7: Serve
Once the chicken is done, remove the toothpicks (if used) and let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This will help keep the filling intact.
Serving Suggestions:
- Side Dishes: Pair the Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes for a well-rounded meal.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve with a side of ranch dressing, salsa, or guacamole for an extra burst of flavor.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color and freshness.
Helpful Tips:
- Crushing the Doritos: To crush the Doritos evenly, place them in a plastic zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into small, fine crumbs. You can also pulse them in a food processor for a quicker method.
- Filling Variations: Feel free to customize the filling by adding shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, or even some sautéed spinach for an extra boost of flavor.
- Make it Spicy: For a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture. You can also use spicy nacho Doritos if you prefer.
- Air Fryer Option: If you have an air fryer, you can cook the stuffed chicken breasts at 375°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, for an extra crispy texture.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: Approx. 450 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fat: 32g
- Protein: 28g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Sugar: 2g
Time:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Servings: 4
This Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken is not only delicious but also a fun way to elevate your dinner table. The creamy, smoky filling combined with the crunchy Doritos crust offers a fantastic blend of textures and flavors that everyone will enjoy.
Recipe Card
Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- – 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- – 1 cup cream cheese softened
- – 1/2 cup cooked bacon crumbled
- – 1 tsp garlic powder
- – 1 tsp onion powder
- – 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- – Salt and pepper to taste
- – 2 cups crushed Doritos nacho cheese flavor
- – 2 tbsp olive oil for brushing
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to **375°F (190°C)**. Lightly grease a baking dish to prevent the chicken from sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a medium bowl, combine the **softened cream cheese**, **crumbled bacon**, **garlic powder**, **onion powder**, **smoked paprika**, **salt**, and **pepper**. Mix everything together until well combined. The cream cheese mixture should be smooth and evenly distributed with the bacon bits.
Step 3: Prepare the Chicken Breasts
- Carefully cut a pocket into each **chicken breast** by slicing horizontally through the thickest part, making sure not to cut all the way through. This will create a space for the cream cheese and bacon filling.
Step 4: Stuff the Chicken
- Spoon the **cream cheese and bacon mixture** into each pocket of the chicken breasts. Ensure the filling is evenly distributed among the chicken. If needed, use toothpicks to secure the edges and prevent the filling from spilling out during baking.
Step 5: Coat the Chicken with Doritos
- Place the **crushed Doritos** on a plate. Press each stuffed chicken breast into the crushed Doritos, ensuring both sides are coated. The crumbs should stick well to the chicken, especially on the outer surface.
Step 6: Bake the Chicken
- Place the Doritos-coated chicken breasts in the greased baking dish. Lightly brush the tops with **olive oil** to help them crisp up while baking.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for **25-30 minutes**, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of **165°F (74°C)**. The Doritos coating should be golden and crispy, and the cream cheese filling should be hot and melted.
Step 7: Serve
- Once the chicken is done, remove the toothpicks (if used) and let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This will help keep the filling intact.