Best Italian Ham And Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipes

HAM AND CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Insert a paring knife into the thickest part of each chicken breast to make a 3-inch-long pocket down the side, cutting in about halfway. Rub the insides of the pockets with 1 tablespoon of the mustard for all 4 breasts. Stuff each breast with 2 half slices of ham and 1 slice of provolone, folding them to fit. Rub both sides of the chicken breasts with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes per side depending on the thickness of the chicken; reduce the heat to medium if the chicken becomes too dark towards the end of the cooking time. Cover the skillet with a lid or a piece of aluminum foil during the last 3 minutes of cooking time to finish cooking the chicken through to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Check the temperature at the thickest part of the breast without stuffing.
• Transfer the chicken to 4 plates or a cutting board and add the chicken broth and remaining 1 tablespoon mustard to the skillet. Cook, whisking, over medium-high heat until the sauce has reduced by about half, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and swirl in the butter and chopped herbs.
• Depending on the size of the breasts, either put 1chicken breast on each of 4 plates or slice all the breasts and divide among 6 plates. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve with Crispy Sliced Roasted Potatoes on the side.
• Serving suggestion: Crispy Sliced Roasted Potatoes, recipe follows.
• Place a rimmed baking sheet in the center rack of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Thinly slice the potatoes about 1/8-inch thick and toss with the oil, salt and pepper. Carefully spread the slices on the hot baking sheet in a single layer and roast until golden and crispy, turning with a metal spatula occasionally and spreading them out to cook evenly, 30 to 35 minutes.

SUNNY'S HAM AND CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS (CHICKEN CORDON BLEU)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix the ham and cheese. Gently slice a lengthwise pocket into each chicken breast. Stuff each breast with the ham and cheese mixture and secure with a skewer or a few toothpicks.
• In a medium shallow bowl, add the flour and season with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. In a second medium shallow bowl, add the mustard, paprika, eggs, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper and whisk to combine. In the third medium shallow bowl, add the panko. Run each piece of chicken through these bowls in the order of setting them up: flour, egg then panko.
• In a large straight-sided pan, add enough oil to just cover the bottom by about 1/4 inch. Heat on medium high and when the oil begins to swirl, add the chicken in batches, placing each piece in the oil away from you so there is less splatter. Add more oil between batches if needed. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and season with a pinch of salt and a tiny spritz of lemon.

CORDON BLEU CHICKEN ROLLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place each chicken breast half between sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet to about 1/8 inch thickness. Place a finger of cheese on each ham slice and sprinkle lightly with thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Roll up seasoned ham and cheese 'jellyroll-style', then roll each chicken breast with ham and cheese inside. Tuck in ends and fasten with toothpicks.
• Place melted butter in a small bowl and place cereal crumbs in a shallow dish or bowl. Dip each chicken roll in butter or margarine, then roll in crumbs, turning to coat thoroughly. Place coated rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for about 40 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and juices run clear. Serve with cordon bleu sauce, if desired.
• To Make Cordon Bleu Sauce: In a small saucepan mix together the soup, sour cream and lemon juice. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, and serve hot over chicken rolls. Makes about 2 cups; 8 servings of 1/4 cup each.

ITALIAN STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine 1 1/2 cup Italian cheese blend, garlic, basil, and oregano in a bowl. Combine Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs in a separate bowl.
• Cut one side of each chicken breast through the middle horizontally to within one-half inch of the other side. Open the two sides and spread them out like an open book. Lightly pound chicken to flatten. Fill each chicken breast with Italian cheese blend mixture and close like a book over the filling. Coat the outside of each chicken breast with egg; press bread crumb mixture over egg layer to coat each chicken breast. Arrange chicken breasts in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 45 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Pour spaghetti sauce over cooked chicken; top with 1/4 cup Italian cheese blend. Bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese is melted, about 5 more minutes.

CHICKEN BREASTS STUFFED WITH HAM AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cut pounded chicken into 8 thin cutlets. Lay out 4 cutlets; top each with 1 slice of ham and 1 slice of cheese, and then top with a second cutlet.
• Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and saute layered chicken-ham-cheese over medium-high heat, carefully turning once, for 8-10 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate and keep warm.
• Respray pan and saute mushrooms and shallot over medium-high heat, stirring for 3 minutes. Add wine to deglaze pan, stirring to scrape up any brown bits, until it's reduced by half.
• Add chicken broth and tarragon and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in any chicken juices that have accumulated on plate and add salt and pepper to taste.