Cream Cheese Doritos Chicken (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 225g chive and onion cream cheese
03 - 305g can cream of bacon soup
04 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 60ml real bacon bits
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 280g bag Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 190°C. Lightly grease a 23x33 cm baking dish to prevent sticking.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine the chive and onion cream cheese with the cream of bacon soup. Beat thoroughly with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
03 - Fold in the shredded mozzarella cheese and real bacon bits into the cream cheese mixture until evenly distributed.
04 - Carefully slice each boneless, skinless chicken breast horizontally, stopping just before cutting completely through, to create a deep pocket suitable for stuffing.
05 - Open each chicken breast like a book and spoon a generous amount of the prepared cream cheese mixture onto one half of the interior pocket.
06 - Fold the top half of each chicken breast over the filling to enclose it completely. Gently press the edges to seal the mixture inside and prevent leakage during baking.
07 - Arrange the stuffed chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, ensuring the folded edge is facing down for stability.
08 - In a small bowl, beat the large egg until smooth. Using a pastry brush, generously coat the top surface of each stuffed chicken breast with the beaten egg.
09 - Evenly sprinkle the crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos over the egg-washed chicken breasts, gently pressing them down to ensure they adhere well and form a crispy crust.
10 - Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 33 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked (reaching an internal temperature of 74°C) and the creamy filling is bubbling and the Doritos are golden.
11 - Allow the baked chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This helps to redistribute the juices and ensures a more tender result.

# Notes:

01 - Explore alternative Doritos flavors such as Cool Ranch or Spicy Nacho for varied taste profiles in this dish.
02 - Substitute chive and onion cream cheese with plain cream cheese combined with fresh chopped chives or green onions for a similar aromatic profile.
03 - For a lighter option, use turkey bacon bits, or exclude bacon entirely for a vegetarian adaptation (note: this recipe contains chicken).
04 - Consider Monterey Jack or sharp cheddar cheese as excellent alternatives to mozzarella for a different cheesy flavor.
05 - For convenience, assemble the stuffed chicken breasts up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate before baking. Cover tightly.
06 - Serve this hearty dish alongside a crisp green salad or roasted potatoes for a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

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