The best wrapping paper for any kind of gift on any kind of occasion is bacon. No contest. It has the ability to breathe life into any kind of animal, vegetable or mineral, (figuratively speaking) giving it moisture and an unmistakable and droolable porkiness that is the envy of every other barnyard creature.
We filled this gift in particular with a cheesy herb mixture that acts as a gooey molten core of dairy-goodness.
Oh, it is as good as it sounds!
CHEESY BACON-CHICKEN BUNDLES
PREP TIME: 20 minutes
COOK TIME: 30 minutes
RECOMMENDED PELLETS: Any
SERVINGS: 8
INGREDIENTS
1 cups seasoned bread crumbs
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup coarsely chopped basil
2 tablespoons thyme leaves
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
16 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Salt and freshly ground pepper
16 pieces bacon
PREPARATION
Start the Traeger on Smoke, lid open, until the fire is established (about 5 minutes). Preheat to High heat for 15 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, mozzarella cheese, chopped basil, thyme leaves and lemon zest.
Set the chicken thighs down on a work surface and tenderize them. We pulled out our handy TenderPress made by fusionbrands. It's easy to use. With a light pressure roll you flatten and tenderize the chicken thighs and open up more space to fill with that cheesiness.
Season the tenderized side of the chicken thigh with salt and freshly ground pepper. Mound about 1/4 cup of the herb-and-cheese filling on each thigh.
Roll up the chicken thigh to enclose all of that cheesy gold. Wrap a piece of bacon around each stuffed thigh and, if needed, secure with a toothpick.
Season the outside of the bacon-wrapped thighs with more freshly cracked pepper. Place the chicken thighs directly on the grill grate and cook for about 30 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked the way you like it and the chicken registers 165 degrees F.
Halfway through, turn the chicken thighs over for even cooking.
Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes, and then dig into that beautiful bacon bundle of joy!
PRINTABLE RECIPE:
No comments:
Post a Comment