| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Intermediate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 450 | 22g | 10g | 12g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 1g | 1g | 44g | 1.8g |
Why I Love Irish Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast
Ah, Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast, a truly divine dish that has its roots in traditional Irish cuisine. It never ceases to amaze me how such humble ingredients can transform into something truly extraordinary! Just looking at the enticing image of the dish, the crunch of the bacon juxtaposing beautifully with the softness of the succulent chicken, is enough to make my mouth water.
A Fusion of Cultures
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. Ensconced within my love for the rich traditions of Irish comfort food, passed down to me by my Lyonnaise grandparents, and my native New England’s deep affinity for lip-smacking seafood, this Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast dish is my ode to opposite worlds coming together. Think about it: chicken from the land, bacon from the sea. And while it might not have seafood as a literal ingredient, it shares a similar spirit of juxtaposition and harmony.
A Shout-Out to the Inspirations
I must pause here to acknowledge the guiding light of Jamie Oliver, whose approach to comfort food has always resonated with my culinary philosophy. He might not have directly inspired this recipe, but he’s certainly been a significant influence in my journey.
There’s something about Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast that reminds me of Chicken Cordon Bleu. They both share the common theme of stuffing good quality chicken with something irresistible. But where the Classic Cordon Bleu prefers ham and Swiss cheese, we’re going the Irish route with delectable Irish bacon working its magic inside the well-seasoned chicken breasts.
One dish that I’d highly recommend pairing with this is a nice, warm Roasted Asparagus. A generous squeeze of lemon, and maybe some grated Parmesan on top, would beautifully balance out the rich flavour of the bacon and chicken.
Oh, and here’s a quick tip: Do not – I repeat, DO NOT – skimp on the quality of bacon. Irish bacon, with the right amount of fat, that’s what will take this dish from good to great. Its unique flavour profile and texture melt into the chicken, creating an Irish-American party on your palate. Now, who wouldn’t love that?
Here’s a toast to good food, cherished family recipes and the joy of creating something beautiful in the kitchen. To the love for blending different cultures on one plate. And finally, to the humble but heavenly Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast. Bon Appétit!
What You’ll Need
Method
Step One
Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C (375 degrees F). While the oven is heating, prep your chicken breasts. Make a pocket in each chicken breast by slicing along the side (be careful not to slice all the way through).
Step Two
Next, you need to prepare the stuffing. In a skillet, fry the sliced Irish bacon until it becomes crispy. Add in the minced garlic and parsley and cook for another couple of minutes.
Step Three
Remove the bacon mixture from heat and mix in the breadcrumbs, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Fill each chicken pocket with the mixture.
Step Four
Close the pocket and secure with a toothpick. Brush the chicken breasts with the melted butter on both sides.
Step Five
Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Brown the chicken breasts on both sides, then transfer to a baking dish.
Step Six
Pour the chicken broth and dry white wine into the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
Step Seven
Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before removing the toothpicks. Serve the bacon-stuffed chicken breasts warm with the juices from the baking dish drizzled on top.
