When Mr. Bar-B-Q asked if I was interested in trying their new bacon tray, why would I say no?
That’s like asking someone if they want to borrow a cute pair of shoes that make your ankles look slim and your kneecaps sessy.
In fact, not only did they send a tray that is perfect for cooking bacon, both in the oven and on the grill, it got me thinking about a stuffed chicken breast recipe idea I’d been wanting to test for some time.
How could I combine the richness of cream cheese with the smoky qualities of bacon and the zip of jalapenos, all wrapped in a chicken breast that even my picky family would eat? The answer, my friends, is not blowing in the wind, but it was smoking on the grill.
This stuffed chicken breast is so packed with flavor that it disappeared before the bacon.
Juicy and fresh, this chicken breast makes terrific leftovers, too. And for only 1.9 net carbs per 1/2 of a large, stuffed breast, you can go a little crazy and keep an entire breast to yourself, so long as the kids aren’t watching.
For this chicken recipe, first some bacon had to be cooked to perfection. Mr. Barb-B-Q’s non-stick bacon tray made terrific slices of bacon quickly and easily, draining the fat away for further use.
The only bummer? Its tall profile. When sing in the oven you’re going to want to move the racks down, and to store, you’ll have to be a little creative as well. I can store it in the grill and use it whenever I have the hankering for porcine perfection. Just make sure to check appliances before pre-heating if you store your pans and racks in them. (I know some of you know what I’m talking about first-hand, so don’t look at me that way.)
As you can see, all of the grease is captured for future use. I even use a jelly roll pan to stabilize the bacon tray because the thought of a mess makes me have a case of the sads. This way I have no mess, get all the bacon I want, and I can even fit an entire 12 ounce package of bacon on the tray for baking in the oven. I have never had the grease trap overfill either–a bonus.
Voila. It’s bacon, babies! Enjoy with your eyeballs.
Are you done yet? Come on. We have stuffed breasts to discuss, and you know I’m not talking about the Real Housewives Reunion shows this week.
Easy Jalapeno Bacon Stuffed Chicken
2 large, raw, boneless chicken breasts
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
8 slices jalapeno, chopped
3 slices bacon, chopped
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
Remove membranes from chicken. Carefully cut a slit in the side/top of the chicken to form a pocket the length of the chicken. Brine chicken in 2 Tbsp olive oil and 1.5 Tbsp lemon juice for an hour.
Combine softened cream cheese with jalapeno, bacon, pepper, garlic and onion. Secure closed with a toothpick if it makes you feel more comfortable.
Grill chicken for 12 minutes per side, or bake in a 325 degree Fahrenheit oven for 45 minutes.
Makes 2 large chicken breasts, or 4 servings.
Nutritional information per serving: Calories: 575, Carbohydrates: 2 g, Fiber: .1 g, Net Carbohydrates: 1.9 g, Protein: 55 g, Fat: 37.6 g
Mr. BBQ Bacon Tray
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Price: $NA
Usefulness: In the oven or on the grill for cooking bacon
Negative: It’s large enough that it could be difficult to store, especially in tight quarters.
Store Locator: NA
Website: Mr. BBQ
Disclosure: Mr. BBQ provided this product free of charge for review, but this has not affected my review of the item.
hi – I see in the recipe where you chop up the bacon but do you then mix it in the cream cheese mixture or is the bacon just sprinkled on top of the chicken breast after it is stuffed with the cream cheese mixture?
Hi there! It’s all in the cream cheese mixture.
You might want to adjust the recipe to indicate what one does with the bacon (beside eat several of the chopped pieces before it hits the cream cheese! LOL).
Lady, you make me giggle! Sessy kneecaps and a case of the sads…I like your style 🙂
I am curious to know what kinds of things you re-use bacon grease for? I was always taught to throw out bacon grease (in the old soup/coffee can next to the stove) but you’re the first person who’s suggested re-using it. Pour quoi?
Hey hey!
I re-use mine for cooking more bacon. Cooking bacon in grease produces a chewier more moist product, and that’s precisely how I like my bacon. I don’t like dry and crispy.
I MUST HAVE THIS BACON TRAY!! Can you let us know when it’s available for sale?? I checked Mr. BBQ’s web page, but don’t see it there. Thanks!
I certainly will. I don’t even know where it’s for sale yet. We’re trying to figure it out.
question on the cooker – how easy was it to drain the bacon grease into your bacon grease holder?
oh and on the recipe – going to try it in the oven – how did you keep the cheese mix from oozing all out?
Cut the slit towards the top of the breast and then cut down into the breast. I hard;y had anything come out, and we cooked ours on the grill, flipping it!
I found it pretty easy. I pour it into the pan and then drain into the bacon fat separator I use. 😀
Bacon grease has other uses. My carby hubby likes it spread on bread before it goes in the toaster oven. Browning meat of any type in bacon fat adds alot of flavor. And if it has been in the refer too long or you have too much, put it in the dogs food. Just a tablespoon or so for a 45 pound dog.
Recipe sounds wonderful and will try it with one modification. I like to pound the chicken breast thin. It makes for quick cooking and the stuffing can be wrapped like a package with the chicken.
Lady, you are the best.
JoAnn
That sounds great! I know my doggie LOVES bacon grease… I think if she had to choose from all of the tummy petting in the world or bacon, she’d pick the bacon and then say, “DOOP!”
Looks yummy! I took bacon out the freezer to cook later. I have a gadget for the microwave that captures the fat.
Hi,
I made the recipe and it was great. My chicken breasts were a little small and I pounded them a little too thin so there were holes and the filling seeped out. But that was a good thing. It crisped up and made great and yummy crunchy bits of flavor. wonderful.
Another bacon fat idea. As you well know, bacon desserts are the rage. I make a coffee cake recipe is out there known as the most dangerous cake in the world but I LC’d it. Still turns out great. But how about using bacon fat rather than veggie oil or adding crisp bacon peices rather than LC chocolate chips.
Thankyou for this wonderful site, your ideas and thoughts and the REALLY great recipes.
JoAnn
I’m not even hungry and my stomach told me you are tremendously good… *praise, much praise*
I am pretty certain this will be on the table tonight 🙂 Do you use fresh jalapenos?
Hi, Fran! I sometimes use fresh jalapenos, but it’s usually super-easy for me to keep the jarred jalapeno slices on hand because they last so long in the fridge. But I do love fresh sliced jalapeno too.
Made this last night along with the cheesy veggie bake and all I can say is WOW. I am really loving this website and all you ideas are mouthwatering! I read another post the other day that said you should come out with a cookbook and I must say I agree 100%! You are the light at the end of a dark induction tunnel for me. Third time on atkins and this is the first time I have found recipes that taste great! Your a low carb ROCKSTAR!!!!!
My mom always made popcorn using bacon grease. Gives the popcorn a great flavor.