Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade
Serves 4
* 1 TB olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, minced (1 tsp)
* 1 shallot, minced
* 1 tsp minced fresh thyme leaves
* 6 cups fresh washed spinach leaves
* salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
* 1/2 cup drained, chopped jarred roasted red peppers
* 3 TB pitted and chopped Kalamata olives
* 1 TB chopped capers
* 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
* 2 boneless skinless whole chicken breasts, cut in half and pounded lightly
* 4 oz mild goat cheese, at room temperature
* 1 TB olive oil for brushing chicken
* 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the garlic, shallot, and thyme for 2 minutes, until softened. Add the spinach, and saute for 1 minute longer, until just wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the skillet from the heat, and let the aromatics cool.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, mix the roasted red peppers with the olives, capers, and balsamic vinegar.
Place about one-quarter of the spinach mixture in the center of each pounded chicken breast. Evenly divide the goat cheese among the chicken breasts, placing a small piece over the spinach; then top with 1 tablespoon of the roasted red peppers.
Fold the top of the breast over the filling to form a package, sealing the bottom of the chicken packages wherever needed. Place the chicken on a baking pan. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 25 minutes. Uncover, brush the chicken with a little olive oil, and cook an additional 10 minutes, until the chicken is brown.
Place the chicken on a serving platter and sprinkle it with the parsley.