Poached Chicken Breast Stuffed With Goat Cheese And Spinach Food

SPINACH AND GOAT CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300.
• In a bowl, mix spinach, goat cheese, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper until well combined.
• Lay pounded chicken breast out and place 1/4 of cheese mixture on top. Roll chicken breast and secure with toothpicks (I usually use about 3 each piece).
• Dredge chicken in flour and brown on all sides in heated skillet.
• Remove chicken and place in oven while completing dish.
• Add 2 tbs. oil in skillet and add garlic, onion, thyme, 1/8 teaspoons salt and red pepper flakes. Cook 3-4 minute then add 1 tbs. flour. Cook 1 minute more.
• Whisk in stock and cook 4-5 minute until thickened.
• Add lemon juice, parsley and roasted peppers.
• When plating, slice each breast about 1/2 inches thick and spoon sauce on top.

CHEESE, SPINACH & MUSHROOM STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Boil the kettle, tip the mushrooms into a small bowl, pour over boiling water to just cover, then leave to soak for 15 mins. Drain and squeeze out the mushrooms (save and freeze the liquid to make a base for a gravy) and roughly chop.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan and gently cook the shallots and garlic for 3 mins. Turn up the heat, throw in the mushrooms and cook for a few mins more. Add the spinach, turn the heat up to high and cook until wilted and all the liquid has evaporated. Tip into a bowl and leave to cool. Beat in the cheeses and season with loads of pepper and a little salt. Set aside.
• Take the chicken breasts and remove the small fillet from the back. Cut a slit into the side of each chicken breast then stuff each one with a quarter of the spinach mixture, closing it with the cut-off fillet. Carefully wrap each stuffed chicken breast in a slice of prosciutto and chill until needed. Can be prepared up to a day ahead.
• To cook, heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line up the chicken on a baking tray and roast for 20-25 mins until the prosciutto is frazzled at the edges, the cheese is oozing out and the chicken is cooked through.

GOAT CHEESE AND SPINACH STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In small bowl, combine the spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt., Cut a pocket horizontally in the thickest part of each chicken breast. Fill with spinach mixture; secure with toothpicks., In an 8-in. cast-iron or ovenproof skillet, heat 1-1/2 teaspoons oil over medium heat. Brown chicken on each side. Place in oven; bake 10 minutes., Toss asparagus with remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon salt; add to skillet. Bake until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 165° and asparagus is tender, 10-15 minutes longer. If desired, drizzle with vinegar. Discard toothpicks before serving.

SPINACH AND RED PEPPER-STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Mix together the spinach, peppers, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Butterfly the chicken: Holding your knife parallel to the cutting board, slice a breast through the middle, stopping about 1/2-inch short of the other side. Open the breast up like a book and flatten it with your palm. Place between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet to a little less than 1/2-inch thick. Repeat with the remaining breasts.
• Divide the spinach mixture into four portions and place a portion in the center of each breast. Roll the breasts tightly around the filling and secure with kitchen twine. Sprinkle all over with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the roll-ups and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the filling registers 160 degrees F, another 6 to 8 minutes.
• Transfer the roll-ups to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil. Return the skillet to the stovetop over medium heat (be careful, the handle will be very hot). Add the shallots and cook until softened, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the wine and boil until reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth; boil until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the butter and season with salt and pepper.
• Cut away the twine and slice the chicken into 1-inch rounds. Serve with the pan sauce and sprinkle with parsley.

SPINACH & GOAT CHEESE-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium to medium low heat. Add the shallots and cook slowly until softened and aromatic, 8 to 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and add the spinach (in batches, if necessary) and wine. Cook, stirring frequently, until the spinach is wilted and all the liquid has evaporated, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the goat cheese, salt, and pepper. Let cool to room temperature.
• If the chicken breasts have tenderloins, remove them. Trim, rinse, and pat the breasts dry.
• Make a pocket on the thicker side of each breast. Using a sharp boning or utility knife, cut into the breast about 1/2 inch from one end. Create a pocket, slicing to within about 1/4 inch of the other side.
• Stuff each breast with about one-quarter of the filling, distributing it evenly throughout the pocket and to the ends. Press on the top of each breast to close the pocket.
• Line up three wide shallow dishes. Fill the first with the flour. In the second, whisk the eggs. In the third, toss the breadcrumbs with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper.
• Season the breasts generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge one breast well in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the eggs, turning to coat evenly, and then dredge it in the breadcrumbs, pressing to make the crumbs adhere evenly. Gently shake off any excess. Set on a plate and repeat with the other breasts. Refrigerate for at least 5 minutes and up to 3 hours to let the breading set. Discard any leftover flour, egg, or crumbs.
• Heat the oven to 350°F. Heat the oil in a heavy 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is very hot, carefully add two of the breasts to the pan and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. If the oil seems to get too hot, reduce the heat to medium. Transfer the breasts to a baking sheet. Repeat with the other two breasts.
• Bake until the chicken and filling reach 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

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).

GOAT CHEESE AND MUSHROOM STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Place the chicken breasts, 1 by 1, between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/2-inch thick. Set aside.
• Stem the mushrooms and place the caps and stems separately in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Melt the butter in a medium-sized saute pan over medium-high heat and add the mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms have released their liquid, and saute until all the liquid has evaporated. (This is called a duxelle.) Season well with the salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Smear each chicken breast with some of the goat cheese and top with some of the duxelle. Roll the breast up and tie with the kitchen twine. Season with the salt and pepper. In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and sear the chicken on all sides. Continue to saute until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to sit 5 minutes before removing the kitchen twine and slicing each rolled breast into 4 to 5 slices. Top with some of the remaining duxelle and several spoonfuls of the Mushroom Wine Sauce. Serve with the Sauteed Fingerling Potatoes, garnished with the chopped parsley.
• Place the shiitakes in a mixing bowl and add the boiling water. Allow to sit undisturbed 15 to 20 minutes, until the liquid is richly fragrant and has taken on the earthy flavor of the mushrooms. Strain and reserve the liquid. Discard the mushrooms or reserve for another use. In a small saute pan over medium-high heat, bring the mushroom liquid to a strong boil and reduce by half. Add the wine and chicken stock, reduce by 1/2 again. Remove from heat and add the butter, swirling the pan until the butter is incorporated and the sauce is glossy and shiny. Season with the salt and pepper.
• Using the mandoline or a knife, slice the potatoes into thin rounds of uniform thickness. Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium-high heat and saute the potatoes until cooked through with a golden, crispy crust. Season with the salt and pepper.

POACHED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Tip the carrot, celery and garlic into a large saucepan. Tie the herbs together in a bunch with a piece of kitchen string, then add to the pan with the chicken breasts, water and 2 tsp salt (adding a little more water if it doesn't quite cover the chicken). Bring to the boil, then immediately lower to a simmer and cook over a very low heat for 10-12 mins, or until the juices run clear in the thickest part of the breast.
• Remove the pan from the heat and scoop out the chicken breasts from the poaching liquid. Slice or tear the chicken into pieces and use in salads, soups or sandwiches.

POACHED CHICKEN BREAST STUFFED WITH SPINACH AND SWISS CHEESE

Steps:

• Using a mallet or meat tenderizer, pound the chicken breasts until the meat is flat and even. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add a layer of spinach and a slice of Swiss cheese. Roll each breast tightly to ensure that the filling cannot escape. Wrap each breast tightly in aluminum foil. In a deep pan, bring the water to a boil. Place the foil-wrapped breasts into the water. Use a heat-proof plate to weigh the chicken breasts down and keep them completely submerged in the water. Allow them to simmer in the water for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is completely done. Remove the chicken from the water and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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.

SPINACH AND CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease 9×13 baking dish with some oil.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine olive oil, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder and 1/2 tsp. of salt, mix well and set aside.
• Place a chicken breast on a cutting board and carefully insert the tip of a sharp knife into the thickest part of the chicken breast. Cut an opening about 4 inches wide to create a pocket without cutting all the way through.
• Pour the prepared rub all over the chicken and using your clean hands generously rub on all sides and inside of the pocket. Refrigerate and let marinate until ready to use.
• While the chicken is marinating, prepare the cheese filling.
• In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, spinach, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then mix until well combined.
• Remove the chicken breast from the refrigerator and stuff each breast with the cheese mixture. Secure the pockets with a toothpick, if needed.
• Place the stuffed breast into the prepared dish and bake for 25 minutes until chicken is nicely golden brown, flipping halfway through to ensure even browning. Alternatively, you can cook it on the stovetop.
• Remove the toothpicks and serve warm. Enjoy!

POACHED STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Each breast half will have a thin spare piece of meat loosely attached to the main part of the breast. Pull this off and set aside. Place each chicken breast half and the small piece of meat on a flat surface and pound lightly with a flat mallet.
• Cut one breast half and one small piece of meat into cubes. Put the cubes into the container of a food processor or electric blender. Add the egg white, salt, pepper, nutmeg and cayenne and blend thoroughly while gradually adding the 1/3 cup of cream.
• Spoon an equal portion of the mixture into the center of each of the remaining larger flattened chicken breast pieces. Top each filling with one of the remaining smaller pieces of breast. Carefully fold over the sides of the larger breast pieces to completely enclose the filling. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Lay out 4 rectangles of clear plastic wrap. Place one filled chicken breast in the center of each rectangle. Fold over the sides of the plastic wrap to enclose the stuffed breasts.
• Select a skillet large enough to hold the packages in one layer. Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a skillet and sprinkle the shallots over all. Arrange the packages over all and pour the wine between the packages.
• Cover closely, bring to a boil and cook 10 minutes.
• Carefully transfer the packages from the liquid to a warm serving dish. Leave the liquid in the skillet.
• Unwrap the packages, taking care not to burn your fingers. Reserve any liquid from the packages and add it to the skillet.
• Cook the liquid down until it is almost evaporated. Add the remaining 3/4 cup cream and bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper. Cook over relatively high heat 3 minutes until reduced to about 2/3 cup. Strain the sauce through a fine sieve, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible from the solids. Add the parsley to the liquid and swirl in the remaining one tablespoon butter. Pour the sauce over the chicken pieces and serve.

CHICKEN BREASTS STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large deep pot over medium-high heat, and saute the garlic, shallot, and thyme for 2 minutes, until softened.
• Add the spinach, and saute for 1 minute longer, until just wilted, but still bright green and not mushy.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper, remove from heat, and let cool enough to handle.
• Squeeze about half of the spinach dry using your hands; you should have a tennis ball size mass after squeezing.
• Refrigerate the remaining spinach for another use, and coarsely chop the squeezed ball of spinach.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spray an 8"x8" baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a small bowl, mix the optional roasted red peppers with the olives, capers, optional walnuts, and balsamic vinegar.
• Combine this mixture with the softened goat cheese, and set aside.
• If desired, divided in quarters, and refrigerate until firm (recommended, but not required).
• Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and place breasts skin-side down on a flat surface.
• Spread about one quarter of the spinach mixture in the center of each pounded chicken breast.
• Evenly divide the goat cheese mixture among the chicken breasts, placing a piece in the center of each breast.
• Fold the sides of each breast up and around the filling to form a more or less ball shaped package, sealing the bottom of the chicken packages as well as possible without getting fanatical about it.
• Place the chicken in prepared baking pan, pretty side up.
• Brush with about half of the butter, and sprinkle to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cover with aluminum foil, and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
• Turn oven to broil.
• Uncover chicken, brush with remaining butter, and sprinkle with a little optional paprika, if desired, and broil just until the chicken is nicely browned.
• Place the chicken on a serving platter and sprinkle with parsley if desired.
• Serve with brown rice and a spinach salad dressed with vinaigrette and homemade croutons.
• Serves 4.

POACHED CHICKEN BREAST STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Make filling:
• Heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook gently for 15-20 seconds, being careful not to let it color.
• Add the stock and immediately put the spinach in on top of it. Cook, stirring quickly, because the spinach will cook down rapidly. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook for about 1 minute, then remove from the heat and spread out on a cookie sheet to cool.
• When cool, transfer to a mixing bowl and gently combine with the goat cheese.Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• If making in advance, store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
• Make and assemble chicken:
• Cover the chicken breasts, 1 at a time, with a sheet of plastic wrap and gently pound to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Season with salt and pepper.
• Lay each breast in the center of a clean 12 x 18- or 20-inch piece of plastic wrap.
• Place one-fourth of the cooled prepared filling in the center of each breast.
• Wrap the plastic tightly around the breast and roll up the ends, turning tighter and tighter until the breast is in a cylindrical shape; take care to keep the plastic wrap tight around the roll.
• Once the cylinder is formed, continue to twist the ends tightly until they are well sealed. Set aside and repeat with the other 3 breasts.
• If making in advance, the stuffed chicken breasts can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours or frozen for up to several days. When ready to proceed, allow to come to room temperature.
• To cook the chicken breasts, set a large pot of water over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Carefully place the wrapped chicken breasts in the water and poach for 15-16 minutes.
• Remove the chicken breasts with tongs and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
• Carefully remove the plastic, using a sharp knife for scissors. Cut the chicken on a bias into 1/2-inch-thick slices and serve.

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.