Description
A flavorful dish featuring chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy goat cheese mixture, enhanced with pepperoncini and fresh thyme.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini finely chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves finely chopped
- Salt and ground pepper to taste
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts (approximately 2 pounds)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F degrees. Place a cast iron skillet or heavy duty oven safe skillet over medium high heat.
- In a small bowl, mash goat cheese with a fork until smooth. Stir in pepperoncini and thyme and season with salt and pepper.
- Use a paring knife to cut a slit in the thick side of each chicken breast. Create a pocket carefully using your fingers or the knife making sure to not cut through the back of the breast. Stuff each pocket with about 2 tablespoons of the goat cheese mixture.
- Divide goat cheese mixture evenly between each of the chicken breasts and press into the pockets. Pat the chicken dry on all sides and season with salt and pepper.
- Place chicken breasts skin side down in the heated skillet and cook for about 5 minutes. Carefully transfer the hot skillet to the preheated oven and bake until chicken is cooked through, about 18 to 20 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and carefully, using tongs, flip the chicken breasts over in skillet and let rest for 3 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh thyme if desired.
Notes
- For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
- Feel free to substitute fresh thyme with other herbs like rosemary or oregano.
- Serve with a side of vegetables or a salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg