Cheesy Basil Stuffed Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Butterfly fillet the chicken breasts and lay flat in order to stuff them. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBSAEHnFaO4)
• 2. Stuff inside with both cheese's on the breast.
• 3. Then add garlic.
• 4. Sprinkle with sweet basil before closing up and securing with toothpicks or short skewers. (Make sure you have secured the opening because the next step is to roll in butter and bread crumbs.)
• 5. Melt the butter in a flat dish with sides so you can still roll the chicken in it.
• 6. Then roll in bread crumbs.
• 7. Place them in a baking dish or pan.
• 8. Pour remaining butter, or melt a little more, over the chicken.
• 9. Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour.
• 10. Make sure to pull out all the toothpicks or skewers before serving. (I like to use the short skewers because they don't get in the way and they are easier to take out once the chicken is ready.)

Steps:

• Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Combine the cheese, 2 Tbls. of the basil, cream, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of the garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper to taste in a medium bowl.
• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and cut off any fat. Cut a pocket in the thickest part of the chicken breast and gently work the knife back and forth until the pocket extends down into most of the breast.
• Scoop one-quarter of the filling into each breast.
• Seal the opening by threading a toothpick or wooden skewer through the chicken about 1/4 inch from the opening.
• Transfer the stuffed breasts to a 13 by 9-inch baking dish and spread evenly with mayonnaise.
• Pulse the bread in a food processor to coarse crumbs, about 8 pulses. Toss the breadcrumbs with 1 teaspoons garlic, 2 Tbls. basil, and 1 Tbls. of EVOO. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the chicken, pressing lightly to adhere.
• Toss the tomatoes with 1 Tbls. EVOO, 1/2 teaspoons salt, and pepper to taste. Arrange in the baking dish around the chicken. Bake until the crumbs are golden brown and the thickest part of the chicken registers 160 degrees, about 25 minutes.
• Serve.

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts flat on cutting surface. With knife parallel to cutting surface, cut a lengthwise slit in each chicken breast, forming a pocket, keeping other 3 sides intact. Stuff each chicken breast with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, pressing the edges of each chicken breast to seal.
• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in oil about 9 minutes, turning occasionally, until well browned on both sides. (Chicken pockets will open slightly during cooking.) Remove from skillet and set aside.
• In same skillet, slowly add water so as not to splatter. Increase heat setting to high. Heat water to boiling. Add macaroni; cook about 3 minutes or until almost tender. Do not drain. Stir in pasta sauce. Heat to boiling. Return chicken to skillet. Reduce heat to medium . Cover and simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F). Garnish with basil.