Chicken Breasts With Goat Cheese And Basil Recipes

STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST WITH GOAT CHEESE, BASIL, AND A MUSHROOM SAUCE (FEATURING MEREDITH DAIRY)

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream together the Meredith Dairy marinated sheep and goat cheese, basil, thyme, a few shakes of salt and some pepper. (The goat cheese is easier to mix and spread at room temperature).
• Pound the chicken breasts and spread half of the cheese mixture onto half of each breast as shown.
• Fold the ends in, then start rolling at the long end to form a cylinder.
• Tie with kitchen string or use toothpicks to secure the breasts. I've used both successfully, but the toothpicks can sometimes be more difficult to remove.
• Next, put the flour, egg and breadcrumbs (add some salt and pepper to the these) into shallow pans or dishes. Roll in flour, dip in egg, and then in breadcrumbs.
• Pre-heat the oven to 350˚F (175˚C) then heat 2 or 3 tablespoons of the oil from the Meredith Dairy jar in a cast iron skillet or other oven-proof pan.
• When hot, add the stuffed chicken breasts and brown all over. (NOTE: the chicken only needs to be browned on the outside, not thoroughly cooked, as we'll finish it off in the oven next.)
• Turn the burner off and put the cast iron pan into the oven for about 15 or 20 minutes. (While the chicken is in the oven, make the mushroom cream sauce.) Allow to cool for about 5 minutes then move to a wooden board.
• Put the oil and butter in a saute pan, then add the sliced mushrooms. Cook for about 6 minutes, then add a splash or two of white wine and salt and pepper.
• Cook for another 3 or 4 minutes then add the cream.
• Stir well and when it just starts to simmer, remove the pan from the heat and add 1 or 2 Tbsp of butter and swirl around. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Pour into a serving dish and keep warm.
• Remove the string and cut the stuffed chicken breast into 1/2 inch slices with a sharp knife. Arrange slices on a plate and serve with your desired sides, such as roast potatoes and a vegetable or salad. Adorn with a sprig of basil or thyme.
• Pass the mushroom sauce separately for guests to serve themselves.

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND BASIL

Steps:

• For chicken: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Pound chicken between sheets of waxed paper to thickness of 1/4 inch using meat mallet.
• Pat chicken dry.
• Combine cheese, green onions and basil in small bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Spread cheese mixture lengthwise over half of each chicken piece.
• Tuck short ends in.
• Roll chicken up, starting at one long side, into tight cylinders.
• Tie ends with string to secure or secure with a toothpick (my preference).
• Dip chicken in egg, allowing excess to drip into bowl.
• Roll in breadcrumbs, shaking off excess.
• (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Refrigerate.) Place chicken in 8-inch square baking dish.
• Pour 2 tablespoons melted butter over.
• Bake until cooked through, about 30 minutes.
• For sauce: Meanwhile, melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat.
• Add mushrooms and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes.
• Add flour and stir until butter and flour are smooth.
• Add wine and simmer 3 minutes.
• Add stock and continue simmering about 3 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Season sauce with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Remove string from chicken.
• Cut rolls crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds.
• Top with sauce and serve immediately.

CHICKEN WITH GOAT CHEESE AND SUN DRIED TOMATO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the chicken breasts on a sheet pan. Loosen the skin from the meat with your fingers, leaving 1 side attached. Cut the goat cheese into 1/2-inch-thick slices and place 1 or 2 slices plus 1/3 of the julienned sun-dried tomatoes under the skin of each chicken breast. Pull the skin over as much of the meat as possible so the chicken won't dry out. With your fingers, rub each piece with olive oil, and sprinkle them very generously with salt and pepper. Bake the chicken for 35 to 40 minutes, until the skin is lightly browned and the chicken is just cooked through. Serve hot or at room temperature.

CHICKEN BREASTS STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE AND BASIL

Steps:

• For chicken:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Pound chicken between sheets of waxed paper to thickness of 1/4 inch using meat mallet. Pat chicken dry. Combine cheese, green onions and basil in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Spread cheese mixture lengthwise over half of each chicken piece. Tuck short ends in. Roll chicken up, starting at one long side, into tight cylinders. Tie ends with string to secure. Dip chicken in egg, allowing excess to drip into bowl. Roll in breadcrumbs, shaking off excess. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Refrigerate.)
• Place chicken in 8-inch square baking dish. Pour 2 tablespoons melted butter over. Bake until cooked through, about 20 minutes.
• For sauce:
• Meanwhile, melt 1/4 cup butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add wine and boil 3 minutes. Add stock and boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and swirl in 4 tablespoons cold butter 1 piece at a time. Season sauce with salt and freshly ground pepper. Remove string from chicken. Cut rolls crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Fan on plates. Serve immediately, passing sauce separately.

GOAT CHEESE AND HERB STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Using a paring knife, make an incision in the side of each chicken breast, passing the knife though horizontally to make a slit but not cutting through the other side of the breast. With the paring knife inserted, rotate the knife to carve out a bit more space and create a pocket. Season the outside and inside of the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Lightly beat the egg white in a bowl to break it up, then add the goat cheese, parsley, tarragon, shallots, mustard and lemon zest and mix until incorporated. Transfer the mixture to a resealable plastic bag (or piping bag). Snip off a corner of the plastic bag and pipe the mixture into each chicken breast until filled.
• Heat the oil in a large ovenproof saute pan over medium-high heat until hot and glistening. Add the chicken breasts skin-side down and cook until the skin turns a dark golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the butter, garlic and thyme, then flip and transfer the pan to the oven; cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, about 10 minutes. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

CHICKEN BREASTS STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE, BASIL AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl, mix goat cheese, tomatoes, shallot, garlic, and the 3 to 4 leaves of basil.
• Using a small sharp knife and working with one chicken breast at a time, cut a 2-inch-long horizontal slit into the thick side of chicken breast. Move knife back and forth in slit to form a pocket. Divide cheese mixture among chicken pockets. Press edges closed and secure with a toothpick to seal. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet over high heat. Add chicken, skin-side down; cook for 3 minutes or until skin is brown. Turn chicken over; transfer skillet to oven. Bake until cooked through (170 degrees F), about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a heavy small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Slice chicken and place on a serving plate. Drizzle lemon butter over chicken. Garnish with additional basil.

BALSAMIC GOAT CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir shallot until translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour balsamic vinegar into skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until balsamic vinegar mixture is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Stir often.
• Cut chicken breasts from one side through the middle horizontally to within one-half inch of the other side. Open the two sides and spread them out like an open book.
• Spread half the goat cheese onto one half of each chicken breast and drizzle 1/3 of the reduced balsamic vinegar mixture over the goat cheese. Close the chicken breasts over the goat cheese and secure with toothpicks. Arrange chicken into a baking dish. Drizzle with remaining 1/3 of the balsamic reduction.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is no longer pink inside, the filling is hot, and the juices run clear, 30 to 35 minutes. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the center of a filled breast should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).