Recipe by Julia Joliff, Food Blogger, A Cedar Spoon
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Serves: 4
This recipe is sure to take your dinner to a new level with all the rich, savory flavors. Tender chicken breasts are stuffed with a sun-dried tomato, goat cheese mixture and baked to perfection. Top your stuffed chicken breasts with fresh herbs and lemon zest. Your family will love this easy chicken recipe!
Ingredients
2 pounds Smart Chicken Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Salt and pepper
1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 ounces of crumbled goat cheese, extra for garnish
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup of fresh basil, chopped + plus more for garnish
1/2 of a lemon juiced + the zest of 1/2 of a lemon
3 Tablespoons of butter
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Fresh parsley for garnish
Fresh thyme for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a small bowl combine the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, oregano, basil and lemon zest. Set aside. Lay the chicken on a a cutting board with the thickest part up. Use a sharp knife and carefully slice each of the chicken breasts lengthwise to create the pocket to put the stuffing in. Start from the top of the chicken breasts and slowly slice it going down the chicken breasts. Make sure to not cut all the way through the chicken breast otherwise the stuffing will fall out easily. Sprinkle a small amount of salt and pepper on each side of the chicken breasts. Spoon the goat cheese mixture into the slit of each of the chicken breasts splitting the mixture evenly between the four chicken breasts. Place the chicken breasts in a non-stick oven safe skillet, cast iron skillet or baking dish. Bake the chicken in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Keep in mind that the thicker the chicken breast the longer it will take.
While the chicken bakes heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and stir until it melts and browns, about 3 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and the olive oil {or use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes}. Remove the chicken from the oven and pour the lemon butter sauce over the chicken. Garnish with more goat cheese, fresh thyme, parsley and fresh basil.