Description
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Dijon mustard
Italian seasoning
Minced garlic
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
For the Stuffing:
Roma tomatoes – halved lengthwise and thinly sliced into half-moon shapes
Fresh mozzarella – thinly sliced and cut into half-moon shapes
Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
-
Marinate the Chicken
Start by making the marinade. In a resealable plastic bag, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Add the chicken breasts and seal the bag. Toss to coat the chicken in the marinade. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor. -
Slice the Chicken
After marinating, remove the chicken from the bag and place it on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice each chicken breast in a hasselback style, making deep slits into the chicken without cutting all the way through. This creates pockets for the filling. -
Stuff the Chicken
Once your chicken is sliced, it’s time to stuff! Take each slit and fill it with a slice of tomato, a slice of mozzarella cheese, and a basil leaf. Pack the ingredients into the chicken, ensuring they’re tightly stuffed. -
Bake the Chicken
Arrange the stuffed chicken breasts in a baking pan. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). To ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked, use an instant-read meat thermometer. Once done, remove from the oven. -
Serve and Enjoy
Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves, and serve with your favorite side dish, such as roasted vegetables or a simple salad
Notes
- Add More Veggies: You can add thin slices of zucchini or bell peppers into the chicken for extra flavor and texture.
- Cheese Options: If you don’t have fresh mozzarella, you can use regular mozzarella or provolone for a different flavor.
- Spicy Kick: For a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes or a slice of jalapeño into the stuffing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired