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Bacon-wrapped pesto-stuffed chicken combines the delicious flavors of pesto, chicken, and crispy bacon for a mouthwatering meal. It is quick and easy to make, can be used for almost any occasion and always leaves you so satisfied!
There is nothing better than a quick and easy meal! This bacon-wrapped, pesto-stuffed chicken breast is one of our oldest recipes. It is perfect for a simple weekday meal but fancy enough to serve to your dinner guests on the weekend! Honestly, it’s the perfect dinner when you are in a pinch and need something filling and full of flavor.
Looking for another summer-inspired recipe? Check out these delicious Smoked Chicken or Buffalo Bison Burger recipes, too.
Why We Love This Recipe
Full of delicious pesto and creamy goat cheese, wrapped in a scrumptious, thick, and juicy piece of bacon, you truly can’t beat it!
- The pesto, goat cheese, and bacon create a delicious combination of savory flavors.
- It is great for various occasions, from casual dinners to special gatherings.
- Quick and easy to make, ideal for busy schedules.
- Leaves you feeling satisfied after each bite.
- Lastly, it looks impressive on the plate, making it great for guests.
Ingredients And Substitutes
- Chicken Breast Halves: Skinless and boneless chicken breasts are used, pounded flat to ensure even cooking. Substitute with turkey cutlets or thinly sliced pork loin.
- Salt and Pepper: The perfect seasoning for the chicken. Substitute with your favorite seasoning blend or herbs like Italian seasoning or garlic powder.
- Basil Pesto: Provides a rich basil and garlic flavor. Substitute with sun-dried tomato pesto or spinach pesto for variation.
- Goat Cheese or Boursin Cheese: Adds creaminess and tang to the dish. Substitute with feta cheese, ricotta cheese, or cream cheese for different flavor profiles.
- Bacon Slices: Wrap the chicken breasts with bacon for a smoky flavor and crispy texture. Substitute with prosciutto or pancetta for a similar effect.
We make so many recipes with pesto in our home that I began making my basil pesto from scratch! Nothing beats the flavor and freshness!
Kitchen Tools
You don’t need much in the kitchen for this recipe. A good meat thermometer goes a long way when grilling!
- baking pan
- parchment paper
- meat thermometer
- toothpicks
How to Make Bacon Wrapped, Pesto Stuffed Chicken Breast
For this recipe, we will bake, grill, or smoke the chicken. This dish recipe can also be done quickly in an air fryer or on a skillet if you are short on time.
Ingredients
- 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (pounded flat; optionally brined ahead of time)
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 tablespoons prepared basil pesto
- 1 package of goat cheese or Boursin cheese
- 6 to 12 slices bacon
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Pound each chicken breast half flat to an even thickness.
- Optionally, brine the chicken breasts ahead of time for added flavor and juiciness.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully slice horizontally into the thickest part of the chicken breast, creating a pocket. Be sure not to cut all the way through to the other side.
- Season the Chicken:
- Season both sides of the flattened chicken breasts with salt and ground black pepper.
- Stuff with Pesto and Cheese:
- Open up the pocket gently with your fingers to create space for stuffing
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of basil pesto evenly over each chicken breast.
- Place a portion of goat or Boursin cheese on one end of each chicken breast.
- Close and Wrap:
- Fold the pocket of the chicken breast closed.
- Wrap each chicken breast with a slice of bacon, securing the ends with toothpicks if needed.
- Cooking Options:
- Oven Method: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the wrapped chicken breasts in a baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy.
- Grilling Method: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the bacon-wrapped chicken rolls for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy.
- Serve:
- Once cooked, remove toothpicks if used, and slice the bacon-wrapped chicken rolls. Serve hot and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Chicken Preparation: Use a meat mallet to gently tenderize thick chicken breasts, ensuring even cooking and a more tender texture.
- Filling Quantity: Use just under 1/2 cup of filling per chicken breast for optimal flavor balance.
- Additional Options: Enhance your stuffed chicken by trying different spices, types of pesto, feta, or other desired ingredients.
- Filling Integrity: While the wrapped bacon helps hold the filling together, toothpicks can be used to secure the bacon and filling if needed, although they may not always be necessary.
Storing Pesto Stuffed Chicken
Store the pesto-stuffed chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months; this dish freezes well. When reheating, wrap loosely in foil and bake at 325°F for 15 minutes (adjust time based on size), allowing it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes beforehand. Add 2-3 teaspoons of water to the foil to keep the chicken juicy if desired.
What To Serve With Bacon Wrapped Pesto Chicken
This recipe is so delicious all year long. Try any of these delicious simple side dishes, our favorite jalapeno cheese bread or my yummy peach or rhubarb ginger crumbles as a dessert option!
- Sautéed Green Bean Salad with Goat Cheese and Toasted Almonds
- Pesto Potato Salad (Healthy and Easy)
- Tomato Mozzarella Basil Salad With Balsamic
- How To Make An Easy Watermelon Basil Salad
Readers Asked
The best way to tell if the chicken breast is fully cooked is to insert a digital instant-read meat thermometer into the breast at its thickest area. If the meat reads a temperature of 165 F, then it is fully cooked.
I hope you enjoy this tasty Bacon Wrapped Pesto stuffed chicken breast recipe! It is so easy to make, the flavor is amazing, and it will leave your friends and family thinking you are a gourmet chef! Like always, I love to hear from you, so if you try this recipe, please don’t forget to add it to Pinterest and then leave me a comment below and let me know how this recipe turned out for you! You can always find me on Instagram or YouTube as well.
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Equipment
- baking pan
- toothpicks
Ingredients
- 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (pounded flat; optionally brined ahead of time)
- 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 6 tablespoons basil pesto prepared
- 6 tablespoons goat cheese or Boursin cheese
- 6-12 slices bacon
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- Preheat oven or smoker to 375 C
- Pound each chicken breast half flat to an even thickness. Optionally, brine the chicken breasts ahead of time for added flavor and juiciness.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully slice horizontally into the thickest part of the chicken breast, creating a pocket. Be sure not to cut all the way through to the other side.
Season the Chicken
- Season both sides of the flattened chicken breasts with salt and ground black pepper.
Stuff with Pesto and Cheese
- Open up the pocket gently with your fingers to create space for stuffing.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of basil pesto evenly over each chicken breast. Place a portion of goat or Boursin cheese on one end of each chicken breast.
Close and Wrap
- Fold the pocket of the chicken breast closed.
- Wrap each chicken breast with a slice of bacon, securing the ends with toothpicks if needed. Lay the rolled chicken breast into a 9×9-inch baking dish.
Cooking Options
- Oven Method: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the wrapped chicken breasts in a baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy.
- Grilling Method: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the bacon-wrapped chicken rolls for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy.
Serve and Enjoy
- Once cooked, remove toothpicks if used, and slice the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Deb’s Tips and Tricks
- Secure bacon with toothpicks to prevent unraveling during cooking.
- The best way to tell if the chicken breast is fully cooked is to insert a digital instant-read meat thermometer into the breast at its thickest area. If the meat reads a temperature of 165 F, then it is fully cooked.
- Customize stuffing with different cheese or additional herbs for variety.
- Experiment with different cooking methods, such as baking or grilling, to suit your preference. We love these done on a smoker!
