Food is a lot like music. Hearing the same songs over and over and over again gets boring to a point where it almost hurts your brain. Have you ever had the distinct pleasure of listening to a Top 40 radio station for more than two hours? It is mind-numbingly repetitive. After hearing Lizzo or Miranda Lambert (depending on your taste in music) for the fourth time, that’s your cue it’s time to turn the radio off.
Food boredom can be painful! It can cause us to make poor eating choices, be wasteful by throwing out food we purchased with good intentions, or break the budget trying to “change the channel”. Sure you can look at endless web sites or Pinterest for ideas, but how many times have you looked at recipes that had ingredients you couldn’t pronounce much less find in your grocery store? Have you ever thought of asking your butcher for his/her playlist (aka menu ideas)? We can make suggestions if you need new ideas or have a cut in your freezer you don’t know what to do with!
Here’s a recipe that combines two of my favorites!
Bacon & Spinach Stuffed Chicken
INGREDIENTS
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. frozen spinach, defrosted and drained
1/3 c. chopped artichoke hearts
1 c. shredded mozzarella, divided
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
4 strips bacon, cut into 4 strips
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large baking sheet with foil. Make slits width wise in chicken, being careful not to cut all the way through chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Place on prepared baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, spinach, artichokes, and ½ cup of mozzarella. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Fill every other slit with cream cheese mixture and fill remaining slits with a piece of bacon. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup mozzarella on top and drizzle with oil.
Bake until chicken is cooked through and bacon is crispy, 35 minutes.
Serve with roasted veggies or rice and enjoy!