Bacon Wrapped Mediterranean Chicken
This Mediterranean Chicken is stuffed with feta cheese, sun-dried tomato pesto, and black olives, wrapped in salty bacon and pan fried till crispy. It's a surprising simple to make and totally delicious dinner recipe that is fancy enough for a dinner party yet easy enough to make for a weeknight meal.
Three words: bacon. bacon. bacon. Is there any other word we really need in life? I didn't think so. Bacon is where it's at.
When I'm dreaming up recipes to share with you guys I normally have three guide words I follow: healthy, easy, and delicious. You probably guessed that as those are likely the three most commonly used words here on this little blog. Now I know that bacon might not fit into the healthy category for most of you, but we can't deny that it's delish and easy to make. Making some wiggle room in the healthy part of this. 🙂
This Mediterranean chicken recipe all started with a visit from my mom. Whenever she comes to visit she always takes over in the kitchen (awesome) and makes us crazy delicious dinners (extra awesome!) Last time she was down she stuffed chicken breasts with some cream cheese and tarragon and wrapped it in bacon. I've been dreaming up new bacon wrapped chicken combos ever since.
Enter Mediterranean chicken … it's stuffed with feta cheese, sun-dried tomato pesto, and black olives then wrapped in salty bacon and pan fried till crispy. Throw in a handful of pine nuts to toast at the end and dinner is served.
If you're thinking that maybe this Mediterranean chicken might be a tad too fussy for you to bother with, I need you to get that thought out of your head asap. It seriously couldn't be any easier to make.
Here's your Mediterranean chicken game plan:
♡ Put the chicken thighs into a bag then take a rubber mallet, meat tenderizer, or a rolling pin and tap on them until they have flattened out.
♡ Take the thighs out of the bag and put some sun-dried tomato pesto, feta cheese, and black olives in the middle of them then roll them up.
♡ Wrap the chicken thighs in bacon. Oh, ya!
♡ Pan-fry until crispy and cooked through.
♡ Eat your bacon filled heart out!
If you make this Bacon Wrapped Mediterranean Chicken make sure you snap a pic and tag @theendlessmeal on Instagram so I can like and comment on your pictures. I love seeing TEM recipes you create!
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Bacon Wrapped Mediterranean Chicken
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Prep Time: 10 mins -
Cook Time: 30 mins
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Total Time: 40 mins
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Yield: 4 servings (can be cut in half) 1x -
Cuisine: Easy
Description
This Mediterranean Chicken is stuffed with feta cheese, sun-dried tomato pesto, and black olives, wrapped in salty bacon and pan fried till crispy. It's a surprising simple to make and totally delicious dinner recipe that is fancy enough for a dinner party yet easy enough to make for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Fresh cracked pepper
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, plus extra for serving
- 3 tablespoons sundried tomato pesto
- 1/4 cup chopped kalamata olives
- 16 slices of bacon – NOT thick cut
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- Parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Place half the chicken thighs in a sturdy plastic bag and flatten them out with your hands. Using a rubber mallet, the flat side of a meat tenderizer, or a rolling pin, pound the chicken until it is 1/4″ thick. Remove from the bag and place the chicken on a baking sheet, outside (the smoother side) facing down. Repeat with the remaining chicken.Generously dust the chicken (one side only) with fresh cracked pepper.
- IIn a small bowl, combine the feta cheese, sun dried tomato pesto and olives. Divide this mixture between the chicken thighs, placing it at one end of the chicken. Roll the chicken around the feta cheese mixture, placing the chicken back on the baking tray with the seam facing down. Wrap 2 slices of bacon around each piece of chicken. Start by wrapping one piece end to end to seal off the open ends of the chicken. Wrap the other piece around the chicken lengthwise then place the chicken on the tray with the seam facing down.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook, turning the chicken occasionally, until the bacon is brown on all sides, about 15 minutes. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium, and let the chicken continue to cook for another 15 minutes. Check on it a few times and turn the chicken if the bottom is getting too brown.
- Add the pine nuts to the pan with the chicken and let them toast for 1 minute. Serve the Mediterranean chicken with the toasted pine nuts, some parsley and a little feta over top.
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