Bacon Wrapped Chicken

I mean, seriously... all you have to do is look at this picture from Artsy Fartsy Mama and you want this, don't you?!!! Scott and I made this recipe and loved it. I jotted down some notes from when I made this, so now it's a "Marsha's Version." Enjoy!

Marsha's Bacon Wrapped Chicken

5 large chicken breasts
2 pkg bacon
12 oz cream cheese
2 cups shredded cheese
Seasoning (we used Maddox, which is not available to everyone, so use your favorite seasoning combos)

Step 1: Start out with your chicken breast on top of a layer of plastic wrap, then another piece of plastic wrap on top.
Step 2: Then take out your anger and hit the chicken with your husband's hammer or a meat tenderizer. Be careful not to get holes in your chicken.
Step 3: Next, lay out some bacon on a plate. 2-4 pieces vertically, and 2 pieces horizontally (I used 4 because I was trying to use up the bacon).
Step 4:  Lay your chicken in the center of the bacon. I also sprinkled a little bit of seasoning salt on the chicken. Mix together some cream cheese and garlic salt, or use the herb flavored cream cheese. Spread a layer of the mixture on the chicken, then add a little bit of shredded cheddar cheese.
Other filling ideas: Pepper Jack cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Mozzarella cheese, jalapeños, green chilis, green onions, spinach, mushrooms, onion, and asparagus
Step 5: Roll the chicken up a little and fold up the horizontal pieces of bacon, making sure the sides are covered. then fold up the vertical pieces and secure with a toothpick if they won't stay. Sprinkle with additional seasoning, if desired.
Step 6: Lay the chicken seam side down on a greased pan. I just put mine onto some tinfoil on top of the pan and it worked great. You can bake as-is, or sprinkle a little bit of brown sugar on top for some sweetness.

1. Bake at 400° for about 45 minutes (ours took an hour to 75 minutes for big chicken breasts), turning it over about halfway through.
2. Then turn the oven up to 500° or broil (watch closely!!) to brown the bacon and make it crispy. *You can turn the chicken over again to make sure all the bacon is cooked.

This is also great without the bacon. Just cook for 35-45 minutes or until the juices run clear.

*If you cut open the chicken after all of this and the bacon still isn't cooked all the way through, you can put it back in the oven for another 15 minutes or so and it will be perfect!