This elegant yet approachable dish features boneless, skin-on chicken breasts that have been carefully butterflied and stuffed with a rich mixture of ricotta, fontina, walnuts, and fresh herbs. The cheese melts beautifully inside the meat, creating a luscious, savory core that contrasts perfectly with the tender chicken. A delicate dusting of nutmeg adds warmth, while the finishing sauce&# 226;ÂÂa glossy blend of chicken broth, apricot nectar, and cornstarchâÂÂbrings a subtle sweetness that cuts through the richness. Garnished with whole dried apricots, this recipe is impressive enough for dinner parties but simple enough for a special weeknight meal. It offers a wonderful balance of textures and flavors, satisfying both comfort food cravings and a desire for something slightly more refined.
Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Description
This elegant yet approachable dish features boneless, skin-on chicken breasts that have been carefully butterflied and stuffed with a rich mixture of ricotta, fontina, walnuts, and fresh herbs. The cheese melts beautifully inside the meat, creating a luscious, savory core that contrasts perfectly with the tender chicken. A delicate dusting of nutmeg adds warmth, while the finishing sauce&# 226;ÂÂa glossy blend of chicken broth, apricot nectar, and cornstarchâÂÂbrings a subtle sweetness that cuts through the richness. Garnished with whole dried apricots, this recipe is impressive enough for dinner parties but simple enough for a special weeknight meal. It offers a wonderful balance of textures and flavors, satisfying both comfort food cravings and a desire for something slightly more refined.Ingredients
Directions
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Rinse chicken breasts and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels.
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Bone the breasts carefully, leaving the skin intact, and then halve each breast horizontally to create pockets.
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In a medium bowl, combine the beaten egg, ricotta cheese, grated fontina, chopped walnuts, snipped parsley, ground nutmeg, and pepper to create the stuffing mixture.
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Gently separate the skin from the flesh of each chicken breast, leaving one side attached, to create a pocket for the filling.
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Spoon the cheese mixture evenly between the skin and the flesh of each breast.
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Tuck the edges of the skin under to seal the stuffing and secure the breasts with wooden picks.
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Place the stuffed breasts skin-side up in a shallow microwave-safe baking dish.
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Brush the skin generously with melted butter and sprinkle with paprika.
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Cover the dish and microwave on HIGH for 15 to 18 minutes, turning the dish halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through.
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While the chicken cooks, combine chicken broth, apricot nectar, and cornstarch in a 2-cup microwave-safe measure.
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Microwave the sauce mixture uncovered for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring three times, until thickened and bubbly.
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Remove the chicken from the microwave and cover loosely with foil to rest for a few minutes.
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Transfer the chicken breasts to a serving platter and garnish each with a whole dried apricot.
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Spoon the warm apricot sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 123.8kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 2.7g5%
- Saturated Fat 0.8g4%
- Cholesterol 63.8mg22%
- Sodium 55.5mg3%
- Total Carbohydrate 0.0g0%
- Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
- Sugars 0.0g
- Protein 23.2g47%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
