E: Bacon, Artichoke & Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Thanks (as always) for the kind words on the VLOG. Its always odd to see yourself on camera, isn’t it? I know I promised pictures from the weekend…but I realized a few of them deserve their own post, so much more to come later. Two of our big accomplishments this weekend? Getting our crib and dresser put together. Now, we just have to get the changing table assembled. Times like these make me grateful that both Josh and I went to school for engineering ;) :

Onto a recipe!

I don’t like bacon….I know…I just don’t (Sorry Jessica)! But my husband is a pretty big fan, especially when its jalapeno bacon (disclaimer: this post was created as a part of the Denny's/Food Buzz BACONALIA challenge and is an entry for a chance to win).

He discovered this little gem of a product at Charleston’s Cafe and I have been on the search for it in stores ever since. Unfortunately, its only available to restaurants :(. Luck for me, my friend Tina let me know when Charleston’s Cafe had it again and I came in to order a side to go (ok, and to eat brunch). I thought and thought on what I could use the bacon in and came up with this recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 slices of bacon, crumbled
• 2 artichoke hearts from a can (in water), chopped
• 1/4 cup part skim mozzarella
• 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 thin pieces of chicken breast
• Salt & pepper

Directions:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F
• Mix together bacon, artichoke hearts, part skim mozzarella and 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a bowl

• Brush chicken breasts with a little olive oil
• Spread mixture across breasts and roll up and seal with a tooth pick

• Sprinkle breasts with salt and pepper
• Bake for ~45 minutes or until chicken is completely cooked through

Josh enjoyed these as is, but I think they’d probably be even better with a broth based sauce on top. I served this with asparagus and one of Katie’s amazing pumpkin bars:

How is your week looking? Between teaching, regular work and training for work- I have a busy week ahead! We also have a bundle of visitors arriving in town next weekend. Good stuff :)