Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Chicken Rolls

Instructions

Preheat the Oven:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.

Prepare the Chicken:

1. Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them in half horizontally, being careful not to cut all the way through.
2. Open the chicken breasts like a book and place them between two sheets of plastic wrap.
3. Pound the chicken to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
4. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.

Make the Filling:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, minced garlic, and chopped parsley until well combined.

Assemble the Rolls:

1. Spread a generous amount of the cheese mixture onto each chicken breast.
2. Place 2-3 jalapeño strips on top of the cheese mixture.
3. Carefully roll up the chicken breasts, starting from the narrow end, and secure with toothpicks.

Wrap with Bacon:

1. Wrap each chicken roll with 2-3 slices of bacon, ensuring the entire roll is covered.
2. Secure the bacon with additional toothpicks if necessary.

Bake the Chicken Rolls:

1. Place the bacon-wrapped chicken rolls on the prepared baking sheet with the wire rack.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy.
3. For extra crispiness, you can broil the chicken rolls for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Serve:

1. Remove the toothpicks and let the chicken rolls rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
2. Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired.