Cheesy, smoky, and oh so crunchy, Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken is a fun and decadent twist on traditional stuffed chicken, sure to appeal to anyone who loves a mix of creamy, cheesy, and crunchy. You stuff the chicken breasts with a luscious mix of cream cheese, cheddar and smoky bacon, then roll the chicken in a coating of crushed-up Doritos for a crispy, flavor-powdered crust.
The prep is easy but gratifying: cut a pocket in each chicken breast, stuff it with a cheesy bacony filling, and coat it in a crunchy Doritos crust. When the chicken bakes, the filling oozes into a gooey, savory center that finds the perfect foil in the crisp Doritos coating. It’s a winning combination that’s sure to please, uniting cheese-stuffed chicken with the delightful crunch of your favorite chips.
This dish is great for family dinner or when you are looking to impress your guests with something a little different. Serve hot, straight from the oven and garnished with parsley for a touch of color. It makes a savory and flavorful meal alongside a side salad or steamed veggies, but it’s so flavorful that it could easily stand alone. So crunchy, creamy and satisfying, this Doritos-crusted chicken is going to be a new fave!
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Why You’ll Love It:
Super Crunchy Coating: The crushed Doritos create a crunchy, flavor-packed coating that amps up the fun in a classic breaded chicken. It’s the ideal accompaniment to the creamy, cheesy filling.
The cream cheese and cheddar plus bacon all combine to make a rich and creamy filling that will feel like it melts inside the chicken, delivering flavor in every bite.
Posted on OTR: October 25, 2023 Kid-Friendly: This recipe is a hit with kids and adults alike. It’s a family friendly way to introduce a new take on chicken that feels both familiar and exciting.
Easily Adaptable: Change the flavor of the Doritos, or add some spice with spicy Doritos as desired. It’s a simple recipe to modify to suit your needs.
Key Ingredients:
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for this recipe as they’re easy to stuff and support the filling nicely. You may need to adjust cooking time slightly if your chicken breasts are large.
Cream Cheese: We soften the cream cheese to make it easier to blend with the other ingredients and spread into the chicken. Philadelphia is a popular brand that works great, but any full-fat cream cheese will suffice.
Bacon: Thicker-cut bacon is best (cooked until crispy!) Once it cools, you can crumble it easily. If you are pressed for time, you can use store-bought bacon bits.
Doritos: You can go with any flavor of Doritos that you like — classic Nacho Cheese, or Cool Ranch, even Spicy Nacho if you want a bit of heat. Smash them finely — to ensure an even coating.
Cheddar Cheese: A sharp cheddar brings a strong cheesy flavor that complements the bacon nicely. You can experiment by adding other cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or Colby, for a variation.
Gourmet seasoning: Garlic and onion powders kick the filling up a notch, and salt and pepper make sure the chicken is seasoned.
Full ingredient list with amounts and instructions is in the recipe card at the bottom
How to Make Cheesy Bacon-Stuffed Doritos-Crusted Chicken
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Test the oven: 375 °F (190 ° C) To prevent sticking and cleanup, line baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease with non-stick spray.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Make a Pocket: Cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast using a sharp knife, taking care not to cut all the way through the breast. Just be careful not to cut all the way through — you want a deep pocket that can hold the filling in tightly, not spilling out.
Step 3: Make the Filling
Combine the Mixture In a bowl combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Continue to mix until you have a smooth, creamy filling.
Step 4: Stuff the Chicken
Stuff the Chicken Breasts: Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast and use the back of a spoon to try to spread it evenly. Pinch the chicken’s edges together to seal, ensuring that the filling remains inside while baking.
Step 5: Coat the Chicken
Set Up the Breading Station: Fill three shallow dishes with, respectively, flour, beaten eggs, and crushed Doritos.
Bread the Chicken: Dredge each stuffed chicken breast through the flour, shaking off excess. Then add the chicken to the beaten eggs, and finally into the crushed Doritos, making sure to coat each chicken breast well.
Step 6: Bake the Chicken
Bake: Arrange the breaded chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. 7.) Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and Doritos coating is golden and crispy.
Step 7: Serve
Garnish & Serve: If you’d like to add a pop of color, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top. Serve up the chicken hot, reveling in the luscious decadent filling and the crunchy Doritos-crusted exterior.
Serving Suggestions:
Pair With a Fresh Salad: The rich stuffed chicken is pleasant with a salad of mixed greens doused in a lemon vinaigrette. Its acidity will cleanse through the richness of the filling and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the meal.
Serve with Roasted Vegetables: Accompany with roasted vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, or Brussels sprouts. Their earthiness contrasts nicely with the rich, cheesy chicken.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a great side dish that goes well with the bold flavors of the chicken. They also soak up any runny cheesy filling that might leak out while baking.
Coleslaw: A tangy coleslaw with a vinegar-based dressing provides crunch and brightness on the plate, contrasting beautifully with creamy, rich chicken.
Storage/Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigeration: Leftover stuffed chicken can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, put in a 350-degree-F (175-degree-C) oven until heated through, or microwave individual servings.
Freezing: You can freeze the stuffed and breaded chicken breasts (well wrapped) prior to baking for up to 2 months. Just stick them on a baking sheet spaced apart until frozen, then put them in a freezer-safe bag. To cook, bake straight from frozen, adding about 10 minutes to the cooking time.
Make Ahead: Prepare the filling and stuff the chicken breasts a day in advance. Refrigerate them, then jacket them in Doritos and bake right before serving.
Reheating Tips: When reheating, use an oven or air fryer for Doritos coating to stay crispy and not a microwave. This will regain some of that crunchy texture.
Variations:
Spicy Jalapeño Filling: Stir in 1-2 chopped jalapeño peppers to the cream cheese mixture for a spicy finish that complements the rich, creamy filling.
Buffalo Ranch Twist: Stir 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce into the cream cheese filling and swap in Cool Ranch Doritos for a spicy-tangy flavor mash-up.
Tex-Mex Variation: Mix in 1 teaspoon taco seasoning to the cream cheese mixture, and use Taco Flavored Doritos. Serve with salsa and guacamole for a Tex-Mex dinner.
BBQ Bacon: Replace the cheddar with smoked gouda and swap in BBQ-flavored Doritos for a smoky, barbecue-inspired spin on this recipe.
Herb-Infused Cream Cheese: Mix in 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, or thyme into the cream cheese mixture for added flavor that goes beautifully with the crunchy Doritos exterior.
Conclusion:
Cream Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken: #Winning] A fun way to mix up your dinner game with BIG flavors. Each bite is a treat with the mix of the creamy, cheesy filling, juicy chicken, and crunchy Doritos coating. It’s the perfect dish for family dinners, game day get-togethers, or whenever you’re in the mood to indulge in something a little extra special.
This is a new recipe — easy to prepare, and you could play with the flavors. So grab your ingredients, crush up your Doritos and get prepared to feast on this fun, crowd-pleasing chicken dish that’s just as delicious as it is fun. Feel free to adjust with all the cheeses — and enjoy each crunchy, creamy bite!
Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts the base of the dish
- 8 oz cream cheese softened, e.g., Philadelphia
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices cooked bacon crumbled
- 2 cups crushed Doritos any flavor
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley chopped, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast, making sure not to slice all the way through.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the pocket of each chicken breast and press the edges together to seal.
- Prepare three shallow dishes—one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with crushed Doritos. Dredge each stuffed chicken breast in the flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally press into the crushed Doritos, ensuring an even coating.
- Place the breaded chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the Doritos coating is golden and crispy.
- If desired, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for garnish. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy filling and crunchy crust.