Air Fryer BBQ Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients

• 16 oz boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 breasts, approximately 4 ounces each)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp pepper
• 0.5 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 4 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 cup barbecue sauce (divided; 2 tablespoons are used in the filling and the remainder is brushed onto the wrapped chicken)
• 8 strips bacon (not thick-cut)
• nonstick cooking spray (for spraying the air fryer basket)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.

2. 2

   Pat the chicken breasts dry. Season both sides with the kosher salt and pepper.

3. 3

   Place one hand on top of a chicken breast to hold it firmly in place. Using a sharp knife, cut a 2-inch slit into the thickest part of the breast to create a deep pocket, taking care not to pierce through the opposite edge. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.

4. 4

   In a medium bowl, add the shredded cheddar cheese, room-temperature cream cheese, garlic powder, and 2 tablespoons of the barbecue sauce. Mix until the filling is well combined.

5. 5

   Stuff each chicken pocket with an equal amount of the cream cheese mixture.

6. 6

   Wrap two bacon strips around each stuffed chicken breast.

7. 7

   Brush the remaining barbecue sauce over all edges of the bacon-wrapped chicken.

8. 8

   Place the chicken in the preheated air fryer. Cook for about 10 minutes.

9. 9

   Flip the chicken over and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

10. 10

    Serve immediately.

Notes

The source specifies a 380°F air fryer temperature and a finished internal chicken temperature of 165°F. The barbecue sauce is divided between the filling and the exterior coating.

Nutrition per serving

• main course
• dinner
• air fryer
• stuffed chicken
• bacon-wrapped
• American
• high-protein