WARNING! WARNING! This recipe is not light on calories. But come on! Sometimes you just gotta live a little. I mean really; bacon, cream cheese, rice and chicken…you just can’t go wrong!
And by the way, this is a great recipe to use up leftover rice. You see, we eat a lot of rice at our house. My kids love it! But sometimes, I make way too much. Easy to do with rice, right? A simple stuffing is a great way to use the leftovers. Add some cheese and seasonings and you can stuff chicken, pork chops, even bell peppers. Or, add some spinach or broccoli and make a side dish. Another one of those recipes the kids just love!!
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Thigh:
8 Chicken thighs, boneless (trim fat well)- $5.73
1 package bacon – $2.99
4 ozs Cream Cheese – $.75
1/2 shredded cheddar cheese – $.50
1/2 cup sour cream – $.50
2 cups cooked rice (leftovers are perfect for this) – $.45
1 to 2 tsps salt – pantry
1 tsp paprika – pantry
1 tsp garlic powder – pantry
1 tsp parsley (fresh, if you have it. Dried is fine too) – pantry
1 tsp pepper – pantry
8 toothpicks, if you need themCOST: $10.92
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place cream cheese in a large glass bowl and microwave for 15 seconds, just till softened. Add sour cream, shredded cheese, paprika, parsley, garlic, a dash of salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Mix well, then add rice and mix again. Set aside.
Lay the boneless chicken thighs (well trimmed of fat) out on a cutting board and season with tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Next, spoon cheesy rice mixture onto each thigh. Roll up chicken and wrap with two slices of bacon per thigh. I didn’t need toothpicks, but if you think your thighs won’t stay closed, use the toothpicks to keep thigh shut, bacon secure and stuffing in.
Once chicken is stuffed and wrapped, place in a shallow baking dish and bake uncovered for 35 minutes. Turn oven up to 500 degrees and cook for 10 more minutes or until bacon is browned and crisp. Remove from oven when done and plate immediately. If you leave in baking dish, make sure to drain bacon grease.
All you have to do now is add some steamed broccoli (3 spears) $1.97 and you’ve got yourself a seriously delicious meal. Oh, and feel free to experiment with the stuffing. You could add spinach, spices, herbs, olive. Gosh. Your choices are endless! And, for a healthier version, use chicken breast and wrap in tin foil. I know, I know. Kind of defeats the purpose, but, definitely better for those that are watching their waistline as well as their wallets.
GRAND TOTAL: $12.89 (And yes, I blew the budget, but if you’re having a dinner party, this is perfect. Plates up beautifully and serves 6-8 easily. Of course you can always cut the recipe in half and do the meal for a family of four, not a problem.)
