Roasted Pecan Goat Cheese Chicken Food

GOAT CHEESE-STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine parsley, thyme, goat cheese, and grated garlic. Cut a slit in each chicken breast to form a pocket; stuff with mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken 6 minutes per side.

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.

PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Lightly beat the eggs in a wide, shallow bowl or pie plate and set aside.
• In a food processor, pulse the pecans until they form fine crumbs (but don't over-process or they will turn into pecan butter). Place the mixture in a large, sturdy ziptop bag.
• To the bag, add the breadcrumbs, basil, salt, and pepper. Seal the top and shake to combine.
• Place the chicken on a cutting board and cover it with a large sheet of plastic wrap. With a meat tenderizer, rolling pin, or your fist, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. They need not be super thin-just flatten the middle so that the chicken is relatively flat and will bake more evenly.
• Working one chicken breast at a time, dip the chicken in the egg wash, then place in the ziptop bag and shake to coat with the pecan mixture. Gently press the pecan mixture so that it sticks to the chicken, then lay the chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.
• Drizzle the olive oil over the top of the chicken. Bake until the chicken reaches 160 to 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove to a plate and let rest 5 minutes. Chicken is considered cooked at 165 degrees F, but I like to remove mine several degrees early and let the carryover cooking to finish the rest (this ensures the chicken breast is juicy and does not overcook).
• While the chicken bakes, prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, both mustards, honey, salt, and cayenne. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
• Enjoy the pecan crusted chicken hot, with the dipping sauce.

PECAN-CRUSTED STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of wax paper or plastic wrap and pound to 1/4-inch thick (a meat mallet or wooden spoon works well). Pat the chicken dry and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper on both sides. Sprinkle the goat cheese lengthwise on one half of each breast; then sprinkle with dill, orange zest and more salt and pepper. Fold in the short ends--like folding a burrito--then, starting on the half with cheese, roll up into a tight cylinder. Close the seams with toothpicks.
• Whisk the eggs in a wide, shallow dish. In a separate dish, combine the breadcrumbs and ground pecans. Sprinkle the stuffed chicken with salt and pepper. Dip in the egg mixture and then in the breadcrumb mixture; shake off excess breading.
• Place the breaded chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and spray with coconut oil. Bake to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Remove the toothpicks. Serve garnished with dill sprigs.

CHICKEN WITH HERBED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Loosen the skin from the meat with your fingers, leaving one side attached.. Cut 12 thick slices of the Montrachet and place 2 slices plus a large basil leaf under the skin of each chicken breast. Rub each piece with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Bake the breasts for 35 to 40 minutes, until just cooked through. Serve hot or at room temperature.

PECAN-CRUSTED GOAT CHEESE LOG

Steps:

• Warm the bourbon and water in a small saucepan, add the peaches, and set aside until plump, about 15 minutes.
• Put the toasted pecans and Cajun seasoning in a mini chopper and pulse until the nuts are finely ground but not pasty. Spread the nut mixture on a large plate. Roll the goat cheese in the mixture, pressing firmly to coat the whole log generously.
• Slice the cheese into rounds and arrange on a platter. Top with the chopped peaches and juices.

ROAST CHICKEN SALAD WITH PEACHES, GOAT CHEESE, AND PECANS

Steps:

• Combine first 8 ingredients; stir with a whisk.
• Combine chicken and remaining ingredients except cheese in a large bowl. Add vinegar mixture; toss gently. Sprinkle with cheese.