Crispy Baked Chicken Pockets with Goat Cheese and Herb Filling

Baked Chicken Pockets with Goat Cheese

Category: Main Course
Serves: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Begin by prepping the chicken breasts. Cut them in half lengthwise, removing any cartilage from the back. Trim the edges to make the cuts as even as possible, but without discarding too much meat.

2. Make the Pocket: With a sharp knife, carefully cut into the top of each chicken breast to create a pocket, being careful not to cut all the way through.

3. Prepare the Filling: Place the goat cheese in a bowl, and stir it to soften. Finely chop the chives and mix them into the goat cheese to infuse the filling with flavor, creating a smooth, creamy texture.

4. Stuff the Chicken: Open each chicken pocket and fill it with a generous spoonful of the goat cheese mixture. Press down gently along the opening to seal the chicken and prevent the filling from leaking during baking.

5. Prepare the Breadcrumb Coating: While the stuffed chicken rests, prepare the breadcrumb coating. Finely chop the parsley, rosemary, thyme, and garlic. Add the chopped herbs and garlic to a shallow dish with the breadcrumbs, then season with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix everything together thoroughly to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.

6. Coat the Chicken: Using a kitchen brush, lightly coat each chicken pocket with olive oil on both sides. Then, one by one, press the chicken pockets into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring that the breadcrumbs stick to the surface of the chicken.

7. Bake the Chicken: Arrange the breaded chicken pockets on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring they do not overlap. If you have any leftover breadcrumb mixture, sprinkle it over the top of the chicken. Place the tray in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 25 minutes.

8. Grill for Golden Brown: After 25 minutes, increase the oven temperature to 210°C (410°F) and switch to grill mode. Grill the chicken for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until the surface is golden brown and crispy, while the inside remains tender and fully cooked.

9. Serve: Your baked chicken pockets with goat cheese are now ready to serve. Enjoy the crispy, flavorful outer coating and the creamy, savory filling!

Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

This recipe delivers a delightful balance of juicy, tender chicken with the creamy richness of goat cheese, all wrapped up in a flavorful breadcrumb crust. Perfect for a family dinner or a special gathering!