Jalapeno Popper Chicken

This recipe has everything we love about jalapeno poppers, the cheese, the heat, the crispy coating and then it combines it with chicken and I think it might make a satisfying meal out of a favorite appetizer of ours!

Ingredients:
1 pkg. cream cheese ( 8 ounces)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 jalapeno peppers (seeded and minced)
4 bacon strips (cooked crisp & crumbled)
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 tsp water
3-4 Tbs. vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. In a bowl combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon and jalapeno peppers and mix thoroughly.
2. Cut a pocket horizontally though the thickest side of the chicken breast - being careful not to cut all the way through.  Fill with 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture, close the opening with tooth picks.
3. On a plate combine the bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
4. Beat the egg and water together in a shallow bowl.
5. Dip the stuffed chicken breasts into the egg mixture, then roll in the Panko bread crumbs coating thoroughly.
6. Using the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken breasts on both sides, and place on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick or covered with aluminum foil.
7. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until juices run clear.

Tupps Tidbits:  In step 3,  when combining the bread crumbs & etc, I like to use a pie plate

It was delicious!  It could have used a hair more flavor by adding more bacon & jalapeno but it was excellent and simple.  Next time we will double the bacon & jalapeno but the recipe is a great starting point for those with less heat-tolerance. This is a KEEPER in OUR HOUSE!

where did we find this one?  cullyskitchen.com