This recipe did NOT come from the book, which is just illustrating the post.
Wondering what to make for dinner tonight? I know–who wants to slave over a hot stove all night? Certainly not I.
But. There are more simple, good-for-you main courses out there than you think. And here’s one yummy, easy main dish: Chicken breasts stuffed with a delicious goat cheese mixture. So easy to make, too. Here’s the recipe:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Beat an egg white in a medium bowl. (Give the yolk, cooked, to your lucky dogs. Oh, that step’s not required.)
Put half cup of breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl. I used Panko because I love the texture it gives a dish.
I took a small log of goat cheese and rolled it in low-sugar cranberries and crushed pistachios. Then, I sliced it lengthwise into four pieces. Sometimes, I use herbed goat cheese, olive tapenade or ham and cheese–you can use anything you like to stuff the chicken breasts. No matter what you use, this dish always tastes terrific.
Take four thawed chicken breasts out of the refrigerator. Cut a slit in each, not all the way through. Just enough to form a pocket.
Stuff each with the goat cheese mixture. Press the ends closed. Don’t worry if they don’t seal tightly.
Coat a rimmed baking sheet with non-stick spray. I usually cover my baking sheet with aluminum foil, first.
Preheat a large skillet coated with olive oil.
Dip each stuffed chicken breast into the egg white and then the panko.
Brown one side of the breasts only, about 2 minutes in the pan. Just one side. Then place breasts browned side up on the baking sheet. Bake at 400 for about 20 minutes or until cooked through.
It should look something like this, with the panko forming a little bit of a brown crunchy crust.
And, if you’ve made extra breasts for your friend who is valiantly battling cancer (because cranberries are so good for the immune system and why should she have to cook?) they might look like this: (note the stuffing is leaking out, perfectly ok.)
Of course, you can’t drop off a main course to a friend without a good-for-you side dish. So why not steam up a little broccolini until it’s just tender, then saute it in olive oil and garlic. I don’t like my veggies to crunch, so I always pre-steam everything before sauteeing. But you don’t have to. You can use fresh garlic, bottled garlic or those nifty Trade Joe’s frozen garlic cubes, which is what I used for this dish.
Then, bring the whole scrumptious, healthy meal over to your friend’s house, delivered by her favorite little dog. What dog? That would be Riley, of course! Let her feed your dog tiny bits of graham cracker, while you refrigerate the meal for later.
Everything here is great for the immune system. And easy as can be.
Yum, that looks delish. And you’re the best for taking food to your friend; I had so many people bring me food during my treatments and it meant the world to me (and my family). There’s something really caring about bringing food to help someone who’s going through a crisis. It always made me feel so supported, and I’m sure your friend must have been so touched. xo
Oh Carol, that looks so good. We have chicken on the meal plan the rest of the week. I’m going to try this instead of Nikki’s chicken tomorrow night. xo
Okay so I am definitely going to have to try this! I’ve done something similar with pork chops but for some reason never did it with chicken….and that’s very nice to offer it to a friend who is under the weather.
Here you’ll find my blog, some of my essays, published writing, and my solo performances. There’s also a link to my Etsy shop for healing and grief tools offered through A Healing Spirit.
I love comments, so if something resonates with you in any way, don’t hesitate to leave a comment on my blog. Thank you for stopping by–oh, and why not subscribe so you don’t miss a single post?
Sometimes, I use herbed goat cheese, olive tapenade or ham and cheese–you can use anything you like to stuff the chicken breasts. No matter what you use, this dish always tastes terrific.
It should look something like this, with the panko forming a little bit of a brown crunchy crust.
Of course, you can’t drop off a main course to a friend without a good-for-you side dish.
So why not steam up a little broccolini until it’s just tender, then saute it in olive oil and garlic. I don’t like my veggies to crunch, so I always pre-steam everything before sauteeing. But you don’t have to. You can use fresh garlic, bottled garlic or those nifty Trade Joe’s frozen garlic cubes, which is what I used for this dish.
Yum, that looks delish. And you’re the best for taking food to your friend; I had so many people bring me food during my treatments and it meant the world to me (and my family). There’s something really caring about bringing food to help someone who’s going through a crisis. It always made me feel so supported, and I’m sure your friend must have been so touched. xo
I think food is one of the very best gifts to bring someone undergoing treatment, something healthy but that tempts their palate. 😉 Glad you agree!
Nice! I’m going to remember that one. Thanks
What i love about it is you can change the stuffing and make it every week, different.
Oh Carol, that looks so good. We have chicken on the meal plan the rest of the week. I’m going to try this instead of Nikki’s chicken tomorrow night. xo
I like to use a little herbed goat cheese and the thing is, it doesn’t take much. So it’s healthy.
Okay so I am definitely going to have to try this! I’ve done something similar with pork chops but for some reason never did it with chicken….and that’s very nice to offer it to a friend who is under the weather.
You won’t regret it, it’s yummy!
Thank you for this, Carol. It’s so nice to have a quick meal idea and this looks delicious. Healthy too? Well isn’t that a nice bonus?
That little stuffing I made turned it into something company-ready, too!
Oh great. Now I can’t wait for dinner. 🙂
Seriously, great suggestions!
It passed the hubby test with flying colors!
I haven’t had lunch yet and this made my stomach GROWL! Thanks for sharing this Carol. Will definitely share this!
You can make it with what you have on hand, often!
Seriously drooling in Minnesota.
What a fabulous way to kick up chicken!!
Different every time, too! But that pistachio goat cheese mix was fantastic.
Oh Carol. You had me at goat cheese. Then again at pustachio. You even had me at panko. Come to mama, recipe.
Mama won’t be disappointed!
I never have enough chicken dishes. I love the ease of this one, and the way you can change it up based on what you have available.
I always take meals to people when they’re sick, it’s a loving way to show you care. Good for you, Carol, for being such a great friend.
Oh this seems absolutely yummy, Carol. I love to ‘invent’ new dishes all the time! 😉
I’d love to see some!
Pre-breakfast in Honolulu. Why can’t a person have chicken for breakfast?
Go for it!