Stuffed Chicken Breasts

 

Stuffed Chicken Breasts

There are times in all of our lives when we are having special people over for dinner.  You may have planned it, or, as in many cases this holiday time of year, the guests just show up with your husband, kids, or wife!  C'mon ladies, we know about y'all gettin' all rowdy out there!❤  Real talk...you are cooking to impress, as this dish can be for a date night for two, or the way described below, it can easily feed up to four hungry eaters.  Let's get this show on the road!

Ingredients

2, 4 or 6 large b/s chicken breasts

salt and pepper

Dried Italian Seasonings

Fresh thyme and oregano

Fresh garlic, finely diced or grated

Italian Cheeses Mixed bag:

*Parmigiana

*Romano

*Asiago

*Smoked mozzarella

Salami, Coppa and/or Prosciutto

Preheat the oven to 375-degrees.

Use a sharp chef's knife to slice open the chicken breast, sliced horizontally starting on the thin side and cut carefully to the thick side.  Be careful to not cut all the way through.  The idea here is to open the breast like a book.  It will be stuffed and then be folded closed and fastened with a toothpick, or two. Once you have all of the chicken breasts you are serving sliced and opened like a book, cover the breasts and pound them out little so the meat tenderizes.   

Now, season both sides of the open chicken breasts with salt, pepper and dried Italian seasoning.  Of course, add whatever spices you like and spice them up your way!  Next, add some of the finely diced garlic, halves of prosciutto or lunch meat ham, add the salamis, add a little bit of fresh thyme and oregano, and lastly, the cheese mixture.  Close the chicken breast like a book and secure with two toothpicks.  Some of the cheese is going to ooze out while roasting, so put some more on top!  Whoa, this is going to smell and taste fantastic!

My neighbor, Bonnie, and her husband (who is a master gardener) gave me several types of chiles and peppers, and I used the little red jalapenos as garnish to roast. Place the stuffed chicken breasts onto a foil lined baking sheet that's been sprayed with non-stick evoo cooking spray.  Again, top with cheese and whatever garnish you'd like to roast onto the chicken (adds flavor!) and place the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Roast for 45 minutes. Use a thermometer to check for proper heat.  When done, garnish with whatever you wish.  I added fresh thyme, oregano and cinnamon basil.  Really, the cheese stole the show and the garnishes were perfect.  If you have big eaters, serve two to each guest.  If you have pickety bits eaters, serve them one breast along with rice.  Deliciousness!

What a simple, fantastically flavored meal for date night or holiday guests.  Enjoy!

As always, Thank You for your visit and for your time and consideration.  I am happy to have you here!

Now, Go Cook For Someone You Love!  

~ Martin

In-House Cook