Keto Spinach Bacon Chicken (Printer version)

Tender chicken breasts stuffed with spinach, bacon, and cheese, baked and drizzled with flavorful garlic butter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Filling

01 - 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
04 - 2 oz cooked bacon, chopped (about 4 slices)
05 - 3 oz fresh spinach, chopped
06 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garlic Butter

11 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
12 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a baking dish with nonstick spray or butter.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, mozzarella, chopped bacon, spinach, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until creamy and evenly incorporated.
03 - Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a horizontal pocket into each chicken breast, being careful not to slice all the way through.
04 - Divide filling evenly among chicken breasts, stuffing each pocket. Secure openings with toothpicks if needed.
05 - Place stuffed chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.
06 - In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper.
07 - Brush half of the garlic butter over the chicken breasts.
08 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the filling is bubbly. Internal temperature should reach 165°F.
09 - Remove from oven, baste with remaining garlic butter, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Remove toothpicks before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels fancy enough to serve guests but honest enough that you'll make it on a random Tuesday night.
  • The filling stays creamy and rich while the bacon adds that crispy contrast that makes every bite interesting.
  • Keto or not, it's genuinely delicious—no sacrifice taste here.
02 -
  • Don't skip squeezing the moisture out of the spinach—I once served this to my neighbor and the filling was watery because I rushed that step, and I've never forgotten.
  • Invest in a meat thermometer; I used to guess timing and ended up with either undercooked or rubbery chicken until I finally bought one and changed my whole cooking game.
03 -
  • Pound your chicken breasts to even thickness before stuffing—I skip this sometimes when they're already large, but it genuinely helps them cook evenly.
  • Don't let the garlic butter sit mixed for more than an hour before using it, because the raw garlic flavor gets intense and can overpower the subtle notes you're after.
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