Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken

Cream Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Doritos Chicken
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
4 slices cooked bacon, chopped
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking spray or oil for baking/frying
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), or prepare a frying pan with oil for stovetop cooking.
2. Prepare the filling:
In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and chopped cooked bacon until well combined.
3. Slice the chicken:
Carefully cut a pocket in the side of each chicken breast without cutting all the way through.
4. Stuff the chicken:
Fill each pocket with a generous amount of the cream cheese-bacon mixture. Use toothpicks to secure the openings if needed.
5. Prepare the breading stations:
In one shallow dish: place the flour.
In a second dish: beat the eggs.
In a third dish: combine crushed Doritos with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
6. Coat the chicken:
Dredge each stuffed breast in flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat with the crushed Doritos mixture. Press gently to adhere.
7. Cook the chicken:
Oven-bake: Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F).
Pan-fry: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and fry each piece 5–7 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked.