Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 4 slices thick cut bacon, (diced)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 4 (1-pound, total) boneless skinless chicken breasts, (pounded to ¼-inch thickness)
  • salt and fresh ground pepper, (to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, (softened)
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon dried dill weed
  • ½ teaspoon dried chives
  • 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, (white or yellow - I use a little of both)
  • chopped fresh parsley
  • sliced green scallions

Instruction

  • Preheat oven to 400˚F.
  • Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Set a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the diced bacon; cook until crispy.
  • Remove bacon from skillet and set aside. Don't discard bacon fat.
  • Return skillet to heat and add vegetable oil to the remaining bacon fat.
  • Pound chicken breasts to a ¼-inch to ½-inch thickness and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  • Add chicken breasts to the hot oil - you may have to do this in batches if the skillet isn't big enough - and cook chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom.
  • Flip over the chicken breasts, add butter, and continue to cook for 2 more minutes or until browned.
  • Remove chicken breasts from the skillet and arrange them in the previously prepared baking dish. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, and chives; mix until thoroughly combined. Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly. See notes.
  • Top each chicken breast with 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture. Spread to coat the surface of each chicken breast.
  • Take half of the diced bacon and add on top of the cream cheese over each chicken breast.
  • Sprinkle shredded cheese over the chicken breasts.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and lightly browned.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Garnish with remaining bacon, fresh parsley, and scallions.
  • Serve.