Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken (Print version)

Juicy chicken breasts filled with cream cheese, bacon, cheddar, and scallions, then coated in crushed Doritos and baked until crisp.

# Ingredients:

For the filling

01 - 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
02 - 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
03 - 3/4 cup (85 g) shredded cheddar cheese
04 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the chicken

08 - 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 2 lb (900 g) total
09 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
12 - 2 large eggs, beaten
13 - 4 cups (140 g) nacho cheese Doritos, finely crushed
14 - Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon neutral oil for the rack

# Instructions:

01 - Heat the oven to 400°F. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and grease the rack lightly with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Stir the cream cheese, bacon, cheddar, scallions, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper in a bowl until evenly mixed and thick.
03 - Pat the chicken dry. Slice a deep pocket into the side of each breast without cutting through the opposite edge, then season the outside with salt and pepper.
04 - Divide the filling among the chicken pockets. Press the edges closed and secure each opening with toothpicks so the filling stays inside while baking.
05 - Place the flour, beaten eggs, and crushed Doritos in three shallow dishes. Coat each chicken breast in flour, dip in egg, then press firmly into the crushed chips until covered.
06 - Place the chicken on the prepared rack. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the crust is crisp and the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F.
07 - Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Remove the toothpicks before slicing or serving whole.

# Good to know:

01 - Use a thermometer because stuffed chicken can look browned before the center is done.
02 - Crushing the chips in a zip-top bag keeps the pieces even and cleanup easy.
03 - Best served right after baking while the crust is crisp.

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