Recipes Nugget Markets Signature Recipes
Basil & Ricotta-Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Prep time
- 15–20 minutes PT20M
- Cook time
- 20–25 minutes PT25M
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
Creamy ricotta balances the sweet and peppery flavors of the pesto in this luscious dish.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ pound whole milk ricotta
- 4 ounces basil pesto
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Preparation
Heat oven to 350°F.
Lay a chicken breast on a clean cutting board. Insert a paring knife gently into the thickest part of the breast and make a horizontal incision, being careful not to cut through to the other side. Use your fingers to deepen the cavity made by the incision. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken breasts.
In a bowl, combine the panko, ricotta, pesto, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Separately, combine flour and seasonings.
Fill a zip-top bag with the pesto and ricotta mixture. Cut off a corner to make a piping bag, then insert it into the cut side of each chicken breast, squeezing an even amount of filling into each. Dredge the stuffed breasts in the flour mixture, evenly coating each side.
Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Lay each chicken breast top-side down in the oil and brown for 3–5 minutes. Gently turn chicken over, place skillet on the center rack of the oven, and bake until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 20 minutes.
Remove chicken from the oven and transfer to plates. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
