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Herb-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 leeks, white and light-green parts, washed well and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/3 pounds), halved
2 slices whole-wheat bread
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 cup homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock, skimmed of fat

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium heat. Add the leeks, and cook 4 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons each rosemary and thyme; cook 1 minute more. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Transfer to a medium bowl; let cool.

    Step 2

    Using a sharp knife, carve a pocket in the center of each chicken breast by inserting the tip into the thickest part and cutting an opening (leaving about 1 inch uncut on each side), being careful not to cut all the way through the breast. Place 2 tablespoons leek mixture in each pocket. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts, and sauté until golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove from heat, and transfer to a clean work surface.

    Step 3

    Place the bread in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, and process until fine crumbs form. Transfer the bread crumbs to a bowl. Add the remaining teaspoon rosemary and 1 teaspoon thyme. Season with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Spread 1 teaspoon mustard over one side of each chicken breast, and cover with about 3 tablespoons herbed bread crumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Drizzle the remaining teaspoon oil over all.

    Step 4

    Place the skillet in the oven; roast the chicken until it is golden and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven; transfer the chicken to a serving dish, and cover with foil while you make the sauce. Place the skillet over medium heat, and add the chicken stock; deglaze the pan, stirring to loosen any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Continue cooking until the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; add the remaining teaspoon thyme. Serve with the chicken.

  2. Fit to eat recipe

    Step 5

    (Per serving)

    Step 6

    Calories: 296

    Step 7

    Fat: 7g

    Step 8

    Cholesterol: 86mg

    Step 9

    Carbohydrate: 20g

    Step 10

    Sodium: 807mg

    Step 11

    Protein: 37g

    Step 12

    Fiber: 2g

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
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