Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Pecan Crusted Chicken Breasts Food

SPINACH-ARTICHOKE STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Make Spinach-Artichoke Mixture: In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, artichoke hearts, garlic, baby spinach, gruyère and Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper and make a pocket in each breast.
• Fill pockets with dip and seal each breast with two toothpicks.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add chicken and cook until deeply golden, 10 minutes per side. Serve immediately.

SPINACH ARTICHOKE STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Place each chicken breast on a flat surface. Season both sides of each breast with the Italian seasoning and paprika. With your hand supporting each piece, cut a slit or pocket about 3/4 quarter of the way through, being careful not to cut all the way.
• Squeeze any and all excess liquid out of the spinach and discard the water. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the spinach, cream cheese, artichokes, mozzarella, parmesan and garlic; mix well to combine.
• Stuff chicken with 1-2 tablespoons of the spinach artichoke dip, spreading evenly with the back of the spoon. Reserve the leftover dip for later.*
• Seal chicken breasts with two or three toothpicks near the opening to keep the dip inside while cooking.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet or non stick pan over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden. Flip and sear on the other side, covering pan with a lid, until cooked through, (about 6 to 7 minutes per side). Transfer chicken to a warm plate to make the cream sauce.
• Combine half and half or heavy cream with the remaining dip (you should have exactly half remaining). Stir until sauce is combined and thickened. Add the chicken back into the pan and serve immediately!

SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE-STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST WITH ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in an extra-large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook, stirring, until the onion is softened and lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the artichokes and cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, until completely wilted, about 3 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl and let cool completely. Wipe out the skillet and reserve.
• When the spinach mixture is cool, add the mayonnaise, lemon zest and 7 tablespoons of the cream cheese spread and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
• Insert a thin paring knife into the thickest part of each chicken breast and cut down the side to make a 3-inch-long pocket. Stuff each pocket with one-quarter of the spinach mixture. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add the chicken breasts skin-side down and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add the potatoes to the skillet, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook, tossing, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, return the chicken to the skillet skin-side up and transfer to the oven. Roast, stirring the potatoes halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the roasted peppers, lemon juice and remaining 3 tablespoons cream cheese in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the red pepper sauce onto 4 plates. Top each with a chicken breast and some potatoes.

SPINACH-ARTICHOKE STUFFED PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Squeeze the excess liquid from the spinach. Mix in a medium size bowl the spinach, artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, and the asiago, ricotta and mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
• Combine the chopped pecans, corn flake crumbs and garlic powder in a shallow bowl.
• Whisk together the 2 eggs with the milk in another shallow bowl.
• Mix the flour, cayenne pepper, salt and Italian seasoning in a third shallow bowl.
• Pound chicken breasts to approximately 1/4 inch thickness.
• Bread each chicken breast by coating each with flour mixture, then dipping into egg mixture. Coat one side of the chicken breast with the pecan mixture.
• Put equal amounts of spinach/artichoke mixture on each chicken breast on the side that does not have the pecan coating. Roll up the chicken breast and secure with a toothpick. Place in casserole dish that has been drizzled with olive oil.
• Bake in oven preheated to 350°F for 40 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Let set for 5 minutes before serving.

SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F.
• Combine mozzarella, garlic, 1/4 cup Parmesan and 1/4 cup mayo in large bowl. Add artichokes and spinach; mix lightly.
• Use sharp knife to make lengthwise slit in thickest side of each chicken breast, being careful to not cut through to opposite side of chicken. Fill pockets with spinach mixture; place on rimmed baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
• Spread remaining mayo onto tops of chicken breasts. Combine cracker crumbs and remaining Parmesan; sprinkle over chicken.
• Bake 20 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF).

SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• In 12-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add spinach; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until spinach is wilted. Remove from heat; transfer to colander. Press with spoon to drain. Chop spinach finely.
• In medium bowl, mix spinach, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and garlic. Reserve 1 1/4 cups mixture. Add artichoke hearts and mozzarella cheese to remaining cream cheese mixture.
• Season chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. In thick side of each chicken breast, cut 3-inch-long pocket to within 1/4 inch of opposite side of breast. Spoon about 1/4 cup artichoke mixture into pocket in each chicken breast. Secure with toothpicks.
• In shallow dish, stir together flour, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. In another shallow dish, beat eggs with whisk. Place bread crumbs on sheet of waxed paper. Dip chicken into flour mixture, coating well; shake off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then coat with bread crumbs.
• In 12-inch skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in oil 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Transfer to ungreased rimmed pan; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F). Remove toothpicks.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat broth to boiling over medium heat; add reserved 1 1/4 cup cream cheese mixture. Reduce heat to low; cook until smooth and hot, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice.
• Serve chicken with sauce.

GRILLED SPINACH-ARTICHOKE STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium. Prepare the chicken: With your knife parallel to the cutting board, slice each chicken breast in half horizontally without cutting all the way through; open like a book. Cover with plastic wrap and pound until 1/2 inch thick.
• Make the filling: Mash the garlic-and-herb cheese, artichoke heart, parsley, dill and lemon zest in a bowl. Whisk the lemon juice and olive oil in a separate bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Season the pounded chicken on both sides with salt and pepper and brush with half of the lemon oil; top with the spinach. Spoon the filling over the top, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Roll up the chicken toward the pointy end; tie with 3 pieces of kitchen twine. Brush with the remaining lemon oil.
• Brush the grill grates with olive oil. Grill the chicken breasts, turning, until cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes, then remove the twine and slice.

SPINACH ARTICHOKE CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375º F.
• Grease a baking dish (I use olive oil).
• I like to tenderize my chicken breasts by going over them a few times with a meat mallet, but you don't have to do this if you don't want to.
• Place the chicken breasts in the greased baking dish, and season them with salt and pepper (both sides).
• Bake the chicken for 15 minutes.
• Make sure to drain the spinach really well - I squeeze mine with my hands to make sure I've gotten out as much liquid as possible.
• Mix together the drained artichoke hearts, drained spinach, chopped shallots, garlic, yogurt, mayonnaise, Parmesan, and Gruyere.
• After the chicken has cooked for 15 minutes, pour the spinach/ artichoke mixture on top of the chicken breasts, and cook, uncovered, for 25 more minutes.
• Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.