Stuffed Chicken Breasts Obrien Food

BROCCOLI-CHEDDAR STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Place the broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl then add 2 tablespoons water. Cover the bowl (a large plate works best) then microwave for 2 minutes. Remove the broccoli to paper towels, drain very well and let cool slightly.
• Chop the broccoli into small, pea-sized pieces then return it to the bowl. Add the Cheddar, cream cheese, chives, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir until well combined.
• Arrange the chicken breasts on a cutting board, and using a sharp knife, cut a deep pocket horizontally into each chicken breast without cutting all the way through to the other side.
• Divide the broccoli mixture among the chicken breasts, pressing it firmly into each pocket.
• Season the outsides of the chicken breasts on both sides with garlic powder, salt, pepper and any other preferred spices.
• Divide the olive oil among two ovenproof skillets set over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add 2 of the chicken breasts to each skillet. Cook the chicken until seared on one side, about 3 minutes, then flip it once and cook until seared on the other side, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Transfer the skillets to the oven and continue cooking the chicken breasts until the thickest part of each breast reaches 165 degrees F, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the oven and serve.

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 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.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• With a slender knife cut a 3-inch pocket along length of thickest side of chicken (or have a butcher do this for you). In a mixing bowl combine the cheese with chopped herbs of your choice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stuff a quarter of this mixture into each pocket and secure pocket with toothpicks.
• Season the outside with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan and saute the chicken, skin side down for 5 to 6 minutes over moderate heat. Turn over and cook for 5 minutes longer or until chicken is cooked through. Remove toothpicks and serve over the salad.
• Variation: instead of the cheese and herbs, stuff each chicken breast with about 2 to 4 tablespoons of another mixture which might include one or several ingredients such as slivered roasted peppers, pitted good black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, anchovies, hot chilis, or other cheeses such as Mozzarella or Fontina.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS O'BRIEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Butter a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the chicken in one layer.
• Place the breasts on a work surface, skin side up.
• Starting at the top, gently pull the skin away from the meat to form a pocket, leaving the sides still attached.
• Combine the spinach, cheeses, and seasonings.
• Divide into 4 portions.
• Place 1 portion of filling under the skin of each breast.
• Smooth the skin over the filling, tucking the ends under.
• Rub each breast with butter and place in the buttered baking dish.
• Bake, covered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Serve sliced, hot or cold.

BRIE AND CARAMELIZED ONION STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add sliced onion and saute 30 minutes or until golden and very soft. Lower heat if onions start to darken or burn too quickly.
• Add sliced garlic, and saute 5 more minutes Stir in 1/3 cup wine and cook 5 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates.
• Spoon mixture into a bowl and let cool. (you can make the onions a day ahead and let sit in the refrigerator).
• Stir in Brie, salt and pepper.
• Cut a horisontal slit in the thickest portion of each chicken breast to form a pocket.
• Stuff about 1/1/2 tablespoons of the onion mixture in each pocket.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add chicken and cook 6 minutes on each side or until done, which will depend on the size of the breasts.
• Remove from skillet, and keep warm.
• Add 1/3 cup wine, minced onion, sage and minced garlic to skillet.
• Cook over medium high heat for 2 minutes.
• Stir in broth and bring to a boil, cooking 7 minutes or until reduced to 3/4 cup.
• Return chicken to skillet; cover and simmer on low for 2 minutes until completely heated.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Pound chicken breasts between wax paper until thin. Season with salt and pepper.
• Combine margarine with herbs. Spread mixture on the inside of chicken. Place slice of cheese on each piece of chicken and roll. Secure with a toothpick.
• Cover chicken with flour lightly and completely. Dip in egg. Roll in bread crumbs.
• Place in a pan and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Pour wine over chicken and bake 20 to 25 minutes longer.