Sun Dried Tomato Pine Nuts And Basil Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipes

SUN-DRIED TOMATO, PINE NUTS AND BASIL STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Cut a deep horizontal pocket in the side of each chicken breast. Make the pocket as large as you can without piercing the top or bottom of the breast. Rub pepper & salt over the breasts. Place 2 slices of tomato 1 teaspoon pine nuts and about 4 basil leaves in the pocket of each chicken breast. Secure the pocket with toothpicks threading along the side to close. Heat the oil in a heavy oven-proof skillet until it begins to smoke. Cook each side of the chicken until golden brown.
• Add the vinegar and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and gently simmer the chicken for 2 or 3 minutes per side until cooked through.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and keep in a warm oven or under a foil tent. Continue to cook the sauce until it is reduced to a thick syrup.
• Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce over each chicken breast. Garnish with fresh basil.

BASIL PESTO STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO CREAM

Steps:

• For Pesto, wash basil and remove stems. In food processor mix basil, garlic, pine nuts, pepper and Parmesan. Blend until smooth and slowly add oil.
• Pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness. Place one slice prosciutto and 1 T. pesto on chicken breast. Tuck in ends and roll jelly style. Secure with toothpicks.
• Drizzle with 2 T. lemon juice, chopped garlic and olive oil. You may either grill these or bake at 350 for 30 minute.
• While breasts are cooking make basil cream.
• Sauté shallots in butter. Add wine and bring to a boil.
• Cook until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup Add cream and return to boil. Cook 8- 10 minute or until sauce is reduced to 1 cup.
• Whisk continually, add tomatoes and cook 2 minute Whisk in basil and lemon.
• Cook until heated thoroughly. To thicken sauce add cornstarch mixture slowly.
• Remove toothpick and cut the chicken breasts in slices to show off the center. Drizzle the chicken with sauce.
• **Serve this with your choice of pasta and dbl the sauce, or when it's just Dereck and I, I only make 2 chicken breasts and there is enough sauce for our pasta.

SUN DRIED TOMATO, SPINACH AND FONTINA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Pound the chicken breast to about ¼ inch, set aside. Lay two slices of prosciutto side by side slightly over lapping. Lay one chicken breast on top lengthwise. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover with half the Fontina, spinach and sun dried tomatoes. Starting at one end carefully roll the chicken breast and prosciutto. Tie the ends with kitchen string or use toothpicks to keep closed. Repeat with the other breast.
• Add olive oil to a medium large oven proof skillet; heat over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic. Stirring constantly, cook until soft. Add chicken breasts one at a time and brown on all sides. Remove from skillet and set aside on a plate. While the skillet is still hot add white wine scraping the brown bits up. Return the chicken to the skillet and place in the oven.
• Bake for 30 - 40 minutes, or until done. Remove from the oven and remove string or toothpicks. Slice into 1 inch slices. Serve over angel hair pasta.