Bacon Wrapped Pesto Chicken Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
586 kcal
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Course
Dinner
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Cuisine
Mediterranean
Bacon Wrapped Pesto Chicken Recipe
Description
The preparation begins by butterflying chicken breasts to create a pocket for filling. The inside is seasoned with black pepper and layered with pesto, feta, and chopped olives, combining herbaceous, tangy, and salty flavors. The breasts are then closed and wrapped snugly in overlapping bacon strips to hold the filling together and add smokiness.
The bacon-wrapped chicken is seared in a skillet over medium heat until the bacon is crisping, then cooked over lower heat to ensure the chicken cooks through without burning the bacon. The method maintains moisture inside the butterfly and allows the bacon to brown evenly. Pine nuts are included in the ingredients but the method ends at searing; they may be added separately or as garnish based on preference.
This recipe yields a rich, flavorful entrée suitable for dinner alongside simple green vegetables or roasted sides.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons pesto
- 4 tablespoons feta cheese crumbled
- 4 tablespoons kalamata olive chopped
- 12 lices Bacon NOT thick-cut
- 1 teaspoon butter
- ¼ cup pine nuts
Instructions
- Start by butterflying your chicken. If your chicken breasts come with the chicken tender, remove it and save it for another recipe. Lay the chicken on a cutting board and place one hand on top to hold it steady. Starting at the thickest end, use a sharp knife to cut by cutting through the breast horizontally most of the way through the breast. Then, fold open the chicken like a book. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.
- Season the inside of the chicken with pepper and then spread 1 tablespoon of pesto over the inside of each chicken breast. Sprinkle one tablespoon of chopped olives and 1 tablespoon of feta cheese inside each chicken.
- Close the chicken breast and then wrap each one in three pieces of bacon. Make sure that the bacon overlaps a little so that it sticks together. Tuck in the final end piece of bacon.
- Sear the chicken in a large skillet over medium heat until the bacon is mostly crispy, about 10 minutes.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and continue to cook the chicken for another 15 minutes, turning them several times, until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and let them toast for 2 minutes. Serve the chicken with the pine nuts over top.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 586 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 chicken breast | |
| Calories | 586kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 37g | 74% |
| Fat | 46g | 71% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 135mg | 45% |
| Sodium | 1035mg | 43% |
| Potassium | 620mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 500IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 125mg | 13% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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