Chicken, Pesto, And Cheese: Cooking The Safeway Way

Chicken breast stuffed with pesto and fontina cheese is a mouthwatering dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways. The cooking time depends on the method you choose. For example, if you're baking it in a conventional oven, it should take around 35-45 minutes at 375°F, whereas in a convection oven, the cooking time will be shorter as the temperature is reduced by 25°F. On the other hand, if you're air frying or pan-frying, the cooking time will be reduced to 20-25 minutes at 400°F. So, get your ingredients ready and choose your preferred cooking method to enjoy this delicious meal!

Chicken prep: cut a pocket into each breast

To make a pocket in each chicken breast, you'll need a sharp knife. Place the chicken breast on a clean, flat surface and use your non-dominant hand to flatten it slightly. This will give you a more stable base to work with.

With your dominant hand, carefully insert the tip of the knife into the thickest part of the breast. Slowly move the knife through the chicken breast, keeping the blade parallel to the work surface. Cut horizontally, stopping about 1/2 inch from the opposite edge. Be careful not to cut all the way through the breast. You want to create a pocket for the filling, so make sure you don't cut through any of the sides.

Once you've created the pocket, you can stuff each breast with your desired filling. In this case, you'll be using pesto and fontana cheese. Spread the pesto inside each breast and then evenly distribute the cheese.

After stuffing the breasts, you can follow the remaining instructions for your chosen recipe. Different recipes may have slightly different cooking methods and additional ingredients, so be sure to refer to the specific recipe you're using for the best results.

Stuffing: mix pesto, ham/prosciutto, and cheese

Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
• 2 slices smoked ham or prosciutto
• 1 ounce of grated fontina cheese
• 2 tablespoons basil pesto

Method

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a wire cooling rack with cooking spray and place it on top of a large baking sheet.
• Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl.
• Using a sharp knife, carefully cut into the long side of the chicken breast, opening it like a book, ensuring you don't cut all the way through the breast. Repeat with the second piece of chicken.
• Spread the pesto inside the breasts, then evenly distribute the ham and cheese on one side of each. Fold over to seal.
• Dredge each filled chicken breast in the breadcrumbs, carefully turning to coat both sides.
• Place the chicken on the prepared wire rack, spray the tops well with cooking spray, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Breading: coat chicken with breadcrumbs

Breading is an important step in the cooking process, and when done right, it can take your dish to the next level! Here are some detailed instructions on how to coat your chicken with breadcrumbs for that perfect crunch and flavour:

Step 1: Prepare the Breadcrumbs

Start by placing the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl. You can use regular breadcrumbs or go for something more flavourful like Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs. This will be the base of your breading, so make sure you have enough to generously coat each chicken breast.

Step 2: Cut and Stuff the Chicken

Take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and use a sharp knife to cut into the long side of each breast, opening it like a book. Be careful not to cut all the way through the breast. You want to create a pocket inside the chicken that you can stuff with the delicious filling. Repeat this step for each chicken breast.

Step 3: Spread the Filling

Now it's time to fill your chicken breasts with the tasty goodness. Spread the basil pesto inside each breast, making sure to get it evenly distributed. Then, layer on the sliced smoked ham or prosciutto and fontina cheese. You can use grated or sliced cheese, whichever you prefer. Once the filling is in place, carefully fold over the chicken to seal everything inside.

Step 4: Dredge in Breadcrumbs

It's time for the breading! Take each stuffed chicken breast and carefully dredge it in the breadcrumbs. Make sure to turn it over and coat both sides evenly. Gently press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to ensure they stick and form a nice, crispy coating.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating up, prepare a baking sheet by spraying a wire cooling rack with cooking spray and placing it on top of the baking sheet. This setup will ensure even cooking and help keep your chicken from getting soggy.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the breaded chicken breasts on the prepared wire rack and give them a final spritz with the cooking spray. This will help the breadcrumbs turn a beautiful golden brown colour. Bake your chicken for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it's cooked through and the juices run clear.

And that's it! By following these steps, you'll have perfectly breaded and cooked chicken breasts stuffed with pesto and fontina cheese. Enjoy the juicy, flavourful masterpiece you've created!

Cooking: bake at 400°F for 20-25 mins

To cook Safeway chicken pesto and fontana cheese, you'll first need to preheat your oven to 400°F. While the oven is preheating, you can prepare the chicken breasts by cutting into the long side of each breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. You'll want to open the chicken breast like a book.

Next, you'll spread the pesto inside the breasts and evenly distribute the cheese. Once you've filled the chicken breasts, fold them over to seal the pesto and cheese inside.

After that, you'll need to dredge each filled chicken breast in breadcrumbs, making sure to turn them carefully to coat both sides. Place the coated chicken breasts on a wire rack that has been sprayed with cooking spray and placed on top of a large baking sheet. Spray the tops of the chicken breasts with cooking spray as well.

Finally, bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. This will ensure that the chicken is juicy and moist, and the cheese is creamy and salty.

And that's it! Your Safeway chicken pesto and fontana cheese will be ready to serve. Enjoy!

Serving: let it rest and enjoy

Now that your chicken is cooked, it's time to serve it! But before you do, it's important to let the chicken rest for a few minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring that your chicken is juicy and tender.

While the chicken is resting, you can prepare any sides that you plan to serve with it. Some great options could be roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, or some crispy roasted potatoes. You could also offer some dipping sauces or garnishes to go with the chicken, such as a creamy ranch dressing, a tangy barbecue sauce, or some fresh herbs.

Once the chicken has rested, it's time to plate and serve it. If you want to get fancy, you can garnish the dish with some chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil. You could also squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the chicken to add a bright, citrusy note.

Finally, it's time to enjoy your delicious creation! Take your first bite and savour the flavours of the juicy chicken, the creamy fontina cheese, and the fragrant pesto. Don't forget to share with your loved ones and enjoy the satisfaction of a meal well cooked and well served!

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