Golden seared stuffed chicken breast sliced to reveal melted cheddar and cream cheese filling on a ceramic plate.

Bacon Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast

Juicy seared chicken breasts stuffed with rich cream cheese and sharp white cheddar for a savory, high-protein weeknight dinner.

Prep15 min
Cook25 min
Total40 min
Serves4
Gluten-freeHigh-protein
9494/100 · ExcellentBuilt on boneless, skinless chicken breasts, white cheddar cheese and raw cream cheese. Nothing in it is flagged.

These tender chicken breasts are pocketed with a luscious filling of cream cheese, sharp white cheddar, garlic, and paprika. Searing them in a hot skillet before finishing in the oven creates a golden exterior while keeping the meat juicy and the cheese molten. It is an easy, satisfying meal that delivers over 50 grams of clean protein per serving.

Ingredients

Every ingredient is a real Clearshelf product, scored

Each product links to its own store, which ships it. Prices are as listed on Clearshelf.

Method

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a medium bowl, combine the softened raw cream cheese, shredded white cheddar cheese, half of the organic garlic powder, and half of the organic paprika, stirring thoroughly until evenly combined, about 5 minutes.

  2. 2

    Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a clean cutting board. With a sharp chef knife held parallel to the board, cut a horizontal pocket into the thick side of each breast without slicing completely through. Season the chicken all over and inside each cavity with the fine sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and the remaining organic garlic powder and organic paprika, about 5 minutes.

  3. 3

    Divide the cheddar-cream cheese mixture evenly into the four chicken cavities, packing it inward gently. Press the pocket edges together firmly and secure the openings with wooden toothpicks to keep the filling enclosed, about 5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Heat the avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully lay the stuffed chicken breasts into the skillet and sear undisturbed until a deep golden crust forms, about 3 minutes. Gently turn the breasts over and sear the second side for another 3 minutes.

  5. 5

    Transfer the skillet directly to the preheated oven. Bake uncovered until the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F on an instant-read meat thermometer, about 15 minutes.

  6. 6

    Carefully transfer the chicken to a warm serving platter and remove the toothpicks. Let the breasts rest for 4 minutes so the internal juices settle and the melted cheese filling slightly firms before slicing and serving.

Tip

Store leftover chicken breasts in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently in a 350°F oven. Toothpicks are essential to hold the pocket closed while searing and prevent cheese from leaking into the pan.

An original Clearshelf recipe, built from products on Clearshelf. Photo is illustrative.