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Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken

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Yields: 4 generous servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25-30 minutes
Total time: 45-50 minutes

Intensities

  • Difficulty: Intermediate (3/5 – involves butterflying and stuffing chicken)

  • Time Commitment: Medium (2/5 – active prep is required)

  • Prep Intensity: Medium (2/5 – involves multiple components)

  • Cleanup: Medium (2/5 – you’ll use a few bowls and a baking sheet)

Equipment

  • 1 Cutting Board & Sharp Knife

  • 1 Mixing Bowl (for the filling)

  • 2 Shallow Dishes (for egg wash and Doritos)

  • 1 Whisk or Fork

  • 1 Baking Sheet with Wire Rack (highly recommended)

  • Plastic Wrap or Parchment Paper (for pounding)

  • Rolling Pin or Heavy Skillet (for pounding)

Ingredients

For the Chicken and Filling:

  • 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 6 oz each)

  • 4 oz (½ block) Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature

  • ½ cup Cooked Bacon, finely crumbled (about 6-8 slices)

  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Chives or Green Onions, finely chopped

  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder

  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

  • ½ teaspoon Salt, divided

For the Breading Station:

  • 1 large bag (9.75 oz) Nacho Cheese Doritos, finely crushed

  • 2 large Eggs

  • 1 tablespoon Water or Milk

  • ½ cup All-Purpose Flour

  • Optional Garnish: Extra chopped chives and a side of ranch or sour cream for dipping.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Cutlets

Place one chicken breast on your cutting board. Place your hand flat on top of it. Using your sharp knife, carefully slice into the thickest part of the breast horizontally, but do not cut all the way through. Open it up like a book. This is called butterflying.

Place the butterflied chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy skillet, gently pound the chicken until it is an even ¼ to ½-inch thickness. Be careful not to tear it. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts. Season both sides of each pounded cutlet lightly with the divided salt.

Step 2: Create the Savory Filling

In your mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped chives, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated and forms a smooth, spreadable paste.

Step 3: Stuff and Roll the Chicken

Lay a pounded chicken cutlet flat on your cutting board. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the cream cheese and bacon mixture onto the center of the chicken. Spread it slightly, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges.

Carefully roll the chicken up tightly, starting from the smaller end, tucking in the sides as you go to fully enclose the filling. The goal is to create a neat, sealed package to prevent the cheese from leaking during baking. Repeat with the remaining chicken and filling.

Pro-Tip: If you have trouble securing the roll, you can use a couple of toothpicks to hold the seam together. Just remember to remove them before serving!

Step 4: Set Up the Breading Assembly Line

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and lightly spray it with cooking spray. This setup allows hot air to circulate around the entire chicken roll, ensuring the Doritos crust gets crispy all over instead of getting soggy on the bottom.

Set up your three shallow dishes in an assembly line:

  1. Dish 1: The all-purpose flour.

  2. Dish 2: The eggs whisked together with 1 tablespoon of water or milk.

  3. Dish 3: The finely crushed Doritos. You can crush them in a zip-top bag using a rolling pin.

Step 5: The Crunchy Coating Process

Working with one chicken roll at a time, dredge it first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it thoroughly in the egg wash, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, roll it firmly in the crushed Doritos, pressing gently to ensure a thick, even layer of crumbs adheres to the entire surface. Place the finished roll seam-side down on the prepared wire rack. Repeat with all chicken rolls.

Step 6: Bake to Crispy Perfection

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the Doritos crust is a deep, vibrant orange and very crispy.

Step 7: The Crucial Rest

Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on the wire rack for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken and the molten cheese filling to set slightly, ensuring a beautiful, clean slice.

Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

  • Freezing: You can freeze the unbreaded, stuffed, and rolled chicken. Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before breading and baking. Freezing after baking is not recommended as the crust will become soggy.

  • Reheating: To maintain the crunch, reheat leftovers in an air fryer or toaster oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-8 minutes, or until hot and crispy. The microwave will make the crust soft.

Customization & Tips

  • Doritos Varieties: Feel free to experiment with different Doritos flavors! Cool Ranch would add a herby, tangy twist, while Spicy Sweet Chili offers a different kind of kick.

  • Filling Add-Ins: Add ¼ cup of shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese to the cream cheese mixture for an extra cheesy center. A tablespoon of chopped jalapeños would also be a fantastic addition for a spicy bite.

  • Securing the Roll: If you’re struggling to keep the chicken rolled, a few toothpicks through the seam will do the trick. Just remember to count how many you use so you can remove them all before serving!

  • Don’t Skip the Wire Rack: This is the single most important tip for a crispy, non-soggy bottom. If you don’t have one, bake directly on a parchment-lined sheet, but be prepared for the bottom crust to be a bit softer.

Nutrition Information

Disclaimer: The following nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

  • Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken roll

  • Servings Per Recipe: 4

  • Calories: ~520

  • Total Fat: 27g

    • Saturated Fat: 10g

  • Cholesterol: 195mg

  • Sodium: 950mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 25g

    • Dietary Fiber: 1g

    • Sugars: 2g

  • Protein: 42g

Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken is more than a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s a joyful, slightly rebellious, and utterly satisfying dish that breaks the rules in the best way possible. It combines the thrill of a crunchy snack with the substance of a hearty meal, creating a dinner that is guaranteed to bring smiles to the table and requests for seconds.

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