Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Roulades

I recently tried this recipe and it is so good and convenient that I immediately wanted to share it with you. (Just because I waited a week or two does not mean I wasn’t thinking of you.)

This recipe is fancy enough for company, but simple enough for everyday meals. It will only take an hour to prepare and bake if you start from scratch, but you can fix these ahead of time and freeze them. Thaw as many as you need while you’re at work then throw them in the oven when you get home.

The choice of filling(s) is up to you – whatever you’ve got & think sounds good will probably do. (I think peanut butter sounds interesting.)


BACON-WRAPPED CHICKEN


Ingredients:

• Boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1/2 - 1 for each person, depending on size of person & chicken breast)


• 1 raw bacon strip for each chicken breast


• Suggested fillings (per chicken breast):
  * 1 - 3 tablespoons whipped cream cheese - flavored if desired, such as chives & onions, garden vegetable. (Use up to 3 tablespoons, but 1 will suffice.)
  * ½ - 1 teaspoon butter (real butter only)
  * 1 thin slice of cheese – Swiss, Munster, Provolone, Mozzarella, etc.
  * 1 thin slice ham
  * 1 – 3 tablespoons frozen spinach, chopped & thawed.
  * A few leaves of fresh spinach
  * Some chopped mushrooms
  * Sprinkle of herbs, garlic, fresh rosemary or thyme sprig, a couple of fresh basil leaves
  * Jalapeno pepper or chopped green chilies
  

Directions:

1. Flatten chicken to ¼ - ½ inch thickness.


2. “Spread” with one of the first three fillings, then add one or two of the others; roll up into a bundle.


3. Wrap each bundle with a bacon strip (or two).


4. Place, seam side down, in a greased pan.


5. Bake, uncovered, at 400 for 35-45 minutes or until juices run clear.


6. IF desired, broil 6 inches from the heat for 5 minutes or until bacon is crisp.

To freeze: Prepare chicken as above up to and including step 3. Wrap each chicken bundle individually in plastic wrap then place in a freezer bag or container. Freeze. (The plastic wrap helps them hold their shape.)

To bake: Take out as many as you need for each meal and thaw overnight in refrigerator. Remove plastic wrap and bake as above.