A Deliciously Budget-Friendly Weeknight Dinner
Looking for a mouthwatering, show-stopping yet budget friendly meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight? This Herby Cream Cheese Bacon-Wrapped Chicken is the ultimate solution. With tender chicken breasts wrapped in crispy bacon and stuffed with a rich, herby cream cheese filling, it’s a dish that’s not only easy to make but also feels indulgent. The best part? It uses simple, affordable ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or simply want something comforting and delicious for dinner, this recipe will be your new go-to. It’s versatile enough to accommodate various pantry staples, making it even more adaptable for any night of the week. Plus, you can easily customize the flavors with whatever you have on hand—making this meal both practical and irresistible.
First Things First – Equipment
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s make sure you’ve got everything you need. Fortunately, you don’t need any fancy kitchen gadgets for this recipe! Here’s what will come in handy:
Equipment You’ll Need:
- Ziploc Bags – These are great for tenderizing the chicken if you don’t have a meat mallet. Just pop the chicken in a bag and use a rolling pin to flatten it out!
- A good sharp knife – For slicing your chicken breasts in half
- Baking Dish – We love using a disposable foil baking dish for easy cleanup, but any oven-safe dish will work perfectly.
- Meat Tenderizer – Helps make the chicken breast thin enough to roll out and cook evenly.
- Rolling Pin – if you don’t have a meat tenderiser on hand a good solid rolling pin will work!
- Cutting Board – a dedicated washable cutting board (don’t take risks when working with raw chicken!)
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Why Make Herby Cream Cheese Bacon-Wrapped Chicken?
This recipe is the perfect balance of creamy, savory, and crispy. The herbed cream cheese filling adds richness and depth, while the bacon on the outside crisps up beautifully in the oven, creating a delicious contrast in textures. And let’s not forget the chicken—it becomes juicy and tender as it bakes, soaking up all those wonderful flavors.
One of the biggest perks of this dish is its versatility. You can tweak it depending on what you have in your pantry or what flavors you’re in the mood for. Have some leftover olives or sundried tomatoes? Toss them into the cream cheese mixture for an extra pop of flavor. Want to add a little spice? Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. This recipe is as flexible as it is tasty, making it perfect for anyone looking for an easy, budget-friendly meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Herby Cream Cheese Bacon-Wrapped Chicken (serves 6):
- 6 large chicken breasts – We use 1 large chicken breast per person. Tenderized and flattened, to make them easy to roll up.
- 12 slices (or 1 pack) of bacon – Enough to wrap all the chicken breasts.
- 1 (8oz) block of cream cheese – Make sure it’s softened for easy spreading. (we’re a military family and love the Freedom’s Choice range available from the Commissary, but any plain cream cheese will do!)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning – For that classic herby flavor.
- ½ tsp garlic powder – Because garlic makes everything better!
- ½ tsp dried parsley – To add a touch of freshness.
- Optional extras – Pantry staples like tinned olives, sundried tomatoes, red pepper flakes or Boursin cheese work great in the cream cheese mix.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Herby Cream Cheese Bacon-Wrapped Chicken
Step 1: Tenderize the Chicken
To ensure the chicken is thin enough to roll easily, you’ll need to tenderize the chicken breasts. If you don’t have a meat tenderizer, no worries! Place each chicken breast in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to gently pound it until it’s flattened. This method keeps things neat and helps prevent any mess. Tenderizing the chicken makes it easier to roll up and ensures that it cooks evenly.
Step 2: Prepare the Herbed Cream Cheese
In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Stir everything together until it’s well mixed and smooth. The cream cheese filling will not only keep the chicken moist but also infuse it with a burst of rich, herby flavor in every bite.
If you want to mix things up, feel free to throw in some extras at this point. Chopped olives, sundried tomatoes, or even a handful of shredded cheese will elevate the flavors and add some extra flair to the filling.
Separate into 6 balls and set aside.
Step 3: Spread and Roll the Chicken
Now comes the fun part! Lay each tenderized chicken breast flat and spread 1 of your little herbed cream cheese mixture balls over the surface. Make sure you cover the chicken evenly so that every bite gets a taste of that creamy filling.
Once you’ve spread the cream cheese, it’s time to roll. Starting from one end, carefully roll the chicken breast up, securing the cream cheese mixture inside. Then, take a few strips of bacon and wrap them around the rolled chicken breast. The bacon adds flavor and helps hold everything together as it cooks. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.
Step 4: Bake the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts into your baking dish—whether it’s a foil dish for easy cleanup or a glass or metal dish you have on hand. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C and the bacon is crispy.
For extra crispy bacon, switch your oven to broil for the last couple of minutes. Just make sure to keep an eye on it, so the bacon doesn’t burn!
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Once your chicken is perfectly cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to settle, making each bite tender and flavorful. Serve with your favorite sides! We love pairing this dish with scalloped potatoes and green beans, but a light salad would be just as delicious if you’re looking for something a bit fresher.
Tips and Tweaks!
- Pantry Add-Ins: This recipe is incredibly versatile. Add extras like tinned olives, sundried tomatoes, or leftover Boursin cheese to the cream cheese mixture for a burst of flavor.
- Crispy Bacon: For extra crispy bacon, broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Just watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.
- Change up your sides: This dish is perfect with a variety of sides, from roasted potatoes to green beans or even a fresh salad.
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The Takeaway
This Herby Cream Cheese Bacon-Wrapped Chicken is the perfect balance of savory, creamy, and crispy—all wrapped up in a budget-friendly package! It’s simple enough for a weeknight meal but tasty enough to serve when you have guests. Whether you customize it with extra fillings or enjoy it as is, it’s sure to become a go-to recipe in your kitchen.
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts with Herby Cream Cheese Filling
Ingredients
- 6 large chicken breasts
- 12 slices of bacon
- 1 8oz block of cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- Optional fillings: Tinned olives sundried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, Boursin cheese
Instructions
- 1. Tenderize the chicken: Place each chicken breast in a Ziploc bag and flatten using a rolling pin until it’s thin enough to roll. 2. Mix the cream cheese: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and parsley. Divide into 6 little balls and set aside.3. Spread and roll: Spread a cream cheese mixture ball over each flattened chicken breast. Roll up the chicken and wrap each piece with 2 slices of bacon.4. Bake: Place the bacon-wrapped chicken in a baking dish and bake at 375°F / 190°C for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C 5. Broil (optional): For crispy bacon, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.6. Serve: Slice the chicken (or serve whole if preferred) and serve with potatoes, green beans, or a fresh salad.
Notes
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Last update on 2025-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
