🍗 Garlic Mozzarella-Stuffed Grilled Chicken with Bacon
📝 Description:
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with melty mozzarella, aromatic garlic, and crispy bacon — this dish is a flavor-packed fusion of smoky, cheesy goodness with an herby finish. Perfect for a hearty dinner or impressive meal prep. Pan-grilled or oven-baked, it’s a crowd-pleaser every time!
🧾 Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup cooked bacon bits
- Optional: toothpicks or skewers to secure
👩🍳 Instructions:
- Prepare the chicken:
- Slice a deep pocket into each chicken breast (don’t cut all the way through).
- Season both inside and outside with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and Italian seasoning.
- Stuff the filling:
- In a bowl, combine mozzarella, minced garlic, parsley, and bacon bits.
- Stuff each chicken pocket generously and secure with toothpicks if needed.
- Cook the chicken:
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet or grill pan over medium heat.
- Sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F / 74°C).
- Optional: Finish in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 5–8 minutes for extra melt and doneness.
- Garnish and serve:
- Let rest for a few minutes.
- Sprinkle with extra parsley and serve with roasted veggies, salad, or mashed cauliflower.
📝 Notes:
- Mozzarella slices may be easier to stuff, but shredded gives more even melt.
- For spiciness, add a pinch of chili flakes to the stuffing.
- Can be baked entirely in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes if preferred.
💡 Tips:
- Use a meat mallet to even out thicker parts of the breast for uniform cooking.
- Secure stuffing tightly to prevent leakage during grilling.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella to avoid watery stuffing.
🍽️ Servings:
- Serves 4 (1 stuffed chicken breast per person)
🔢 Nutritional Info (Per Serving – Approx.):
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 45g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
✅ Benefits:
- High in protein for muscle maintenance
- Low in carbs — keto-friendly
- Provides healthy fats from olive oil and cheese
- Naturally gluten-free
- Satisfying and flavorful without heavy sauces
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I prep this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Q: What sides go well with this?
A: Roasted vegetables, garlic mashed cauliflower, zucchini noodles, or a Greek salad.
Q: Can I use turkey bacon?
A: Absolutely! It’ll reduce fat and calories a bit, while still giving that smoky kick.
Q: Can I make this in the oven only?
A: Yes — bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes. For extra browning, broil for 2 minutes at the end.