Monday, April 4, 2011

Herb and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Spinach

  • 1/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 (4-ounce) package goat cheese
  • 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 (10-ounce) package fresh spinach
  • Lemon wedges (optional)

Preheat broiler to high.

Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Cut a horizontal slit through thickest portion of each breast half to form a pocket. Stuff 2 tablespoons cheese mixture into each pocket; close opening with a wooden pick. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add 1 tablespoon olive oil to pan. Add chicken to pan, and cook for 2 minutes on 1 side or until browned. Arrange chicken on a baking sheet (browned side up); broil for 8 minutes or until done.

Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil, red pepper, and spinach; cook for 2 minutes or until spinach wilts. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.