Oh, the cheese—melting, oozing, downright irresistible—folded into every crevice of this chicken dish, as if the universe conspired to unite comfort and indulgence on a single plate. It’s that kind of meal where you find yourself reminiscing about old family gatherings or even that one time you tried to make lasagna and ended up with. .
. well, something else entirely. But hey, who said culinary adventures aren’t part of the charm?
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare the chicken breasts by cutting six slits into each at a slight angle, ensuring not to slice all the way through, leaving about 1/4 inch intact at the base.
- Season each chicken breast with salt and pepper or your preferred seasoning. If your chosen seasoning lacks salt, sprinkle a little salt separately.
- Cut your choice of cheese and bacon or ham into half-slices. Place one piece of cheese, a folded half-slice of bacon or ham, and a pickled jalapeno slice into each slit on the chicken.
- Lightly grease a casserole dish and place the prepared chicken breasts inside. Bake the chicken until an instant-read thermometer shows an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), which should take about 20-25 minutes.
- Serve the Hasselback chicken with a green salad or your favorite vegetables for a low-carb meal. Alternatively, add a carbohydrate side like roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or seasoned rice for a heartier dish.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, or all-purpose seasoning of choice (if the seasoning doesn’t contain salt, sprinkle some salt over each chicken breast)
- 12 slices of cheese of choice, cut in half (such as Swiss, Cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, provolone, or pepper jack)
- 12 slices of bacon, Canadian bacon, or smoked ham, cut in half
- 24 slices of pickled jalapenos (alternatively, use roasted bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes, and add a basil leaf in each slit if desired)
Nutritional Values
Calories: 2240 kcal | Carbohydrates: 120 g | Protein: 216 g | Fat: 108 g | Saturated Fat: 44 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24 g | Cholesterol: 600 mg | Fiber: 64 g | Sugar: 52 g | Vitamin C: 256 mg | Iron: 52 mg
FAQ
- What is the concept of Hasselback Chicken?
- Hasselback Chicken is a creative way of preparing chicken breasts inspired by the Swedish method originally used for potatoes. This involves slicing the chicken in thin layers without cutting all the way through, allowing you to stuff the layers with various ingredients like cheese, bacon, and jalapenos.
- Can Hasselback Chicken be frozen for later use?
- Yes, you can freeze Hasselback Chicken. Assemble the chicken and freeze it raw. When ready to cook, bake the frozen chicken directly in the oven at 400°F for about 40 minutes or until fully cooked.
- What are some alternatives to the ingredients in Hasselback Chicken?
- You can customize the recipe by using different types of cheese or substituting bacon with Canadian bacon or smoked ham. For a milder flavor, replace pickled jalapenos with roasted red bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes, and you can also add a basil leaf in each slit.
- How should Hasselback Chicken be served?
- Hasselback Chicken can be served with a green salad or your choice of vegetables for a low-carb meal. If you prefer a heartier dish, you can add a side of roasted or mashed potatoes, or seasoned rice.
- How do you prepare Hasselback Chicken for baking?
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Cut six slits into each chicken breast at a slight angle, ensuring you don’t cut all the way through. Season the chicken, then stuff each slit with cheese, bacon or ham, and pickled jalapeno slices. Bake in a greased dish until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, approximately 20-25 minutes.
Tips
- Customize Fillings to Your Taste: Feel free to get creative with your choice of cheese and meat. You can replace bacon with Canadian bacon or smoked ham, and if you prefer milder flavors, swap pickled jalapenos for roasted red bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes. Adding a basil leaf to each slit can also enhance the flavor.
- Ensure Proper Cutting Technique: When preparing the chicken breasts, make sure to cut at a slight angle and avoid slicing all the way through. The chicken should remain intact at the bottom by about a quarter-inch to ensure it holds together well during baking.
- Freezing for Convenience: You can easily prepare the chicken ahead of time and freeze it raw. To do this, place the assembled chicken breasts on a lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer them to freezer containers, where they can be stored for up to three months. When ready to cook, bake them directly from frozen at 400°F for about 40 minutes.
- Check Internal Temperature: To ensure your chicken is cooked perfectly, use an instant-read thermometer. The thickest part of the chicken breast should reach an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
Equipment
- Instant Read Thermometer – To ensure the chicken reaches the correct internal temperature.
- Casserole Dish – For baking the stuffed chicken breasts.
- Chef’s Knife – A good quality knife for making precise cuts in the chicken breasts.
- Cutting Board – A sturdy cutting board to safely cut the chicken and other ingredients.
