BACON AND BASIL-WRAPPED CHICKEN BREASTS
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a small saucepan of boiling water blanch basil 2 seconds and drain in a sieve. Rinse basil under cold water to stop cooking and pat dry on paper towels.
- Put 1 whole chicken breast, skinned side down, on a work surface and remove "tender" (fillet strip located on either side of where breast bone was) from each breast half, keeping rest of chicken breast intact. (There should be 2 tenders from each whole breast.)
- Put 2 tenders side by side and wrap 7 basil leaves around them to enclose them. Season remainder of whole breast with salt and pepper and put basil-wrapped tenders lengthwise down middle of 1 breast half. Fold other breast half over to enclose tenders.
- Beginning on underside at 1 end of breast, wrap bacon slices snugly but without stretching, 1 at a time, around breast in a continuous overlapping spiral from 1 end to the other. (You will need about 4 to 5 bacon slices for each breast.)
- Remove tenders from remaining 2 chicken breasts and stuff and wrap breasts in same manner. Sprinkle crushed peppercorns evenly over bacon wrappings.
- Heat a 9- to 10-inch cast-iron skillet over moderately high heat until hot. Sliding a metal spatula under wrapped chicken breasts to keep bacon intact, transfer 2 breasts, undersides down, to skillet. Cook chicken, turning it only after bacon on underside is golden, until bacon is golden and crisp on all sides, about 4 minutes total. Transfer chicken as browned to a plate and cook remaining breast in same manner.
- Pour off fat from skillet and return all 3 chicken breasts to skillet. Roast chicken in middle of oven 15 minutes, or until firm to the touch and just cooked through. Transfer chicken with tongs to a cutting board and let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
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Sharyar Sharyar
[email protected]I've made this recipe several times and it's always a hit. It's a great weeknight meal.
Abubakar Gujjar
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of bacon, so I omitted it from the recipe. The chicken was still delicious.
Andrii Riabchun
[email protected]This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's worth it. The chicken is so tender and flavorful.
Aabir Das
[email protected]I cooked the chicken in a skillet instead of the oven and it turned out just as good.
Musanje Isa
[email protected]I didn't have any basil on hand, so I used parsley instead. It still tasted great!
DAMAR Ismail
[email protected]I substituted chicken thighs for the breasts and it worked out great. The thighs were even more juicy and flavorful.
Mominul islam Mohon
[email protected]I made this recipe exactly as written and it turned out perfectly. The chicken was cooked evenly and the sauce was delicious.
Rumi Akthar
[email protected]This recipe is a keeper! I'll definitely be making it again and again.
Sanele Mbokazi
[email protected]I was skeptical about the bacon and basil combination, but I was pleasantly surprised. The flavors worked really well together.
Damien Kroeders (Dam1en)
[email protected]This recipe is easy to follow and the results are delicious. I highly recommend it!
Tyrese Anderson
[email protected]I've tried many chicken recipes, but this one is by far the best. The bacon and basil combination is heavenly.
Drew Meeks
[email protected]I made this for a dinner party and everyone loved it! The chicken was cooked perfectly and the flavors were amazing.
L. Anfal Romaissa
[email protected]This recipe was a hit with my family! The chicken was juicy and flavorful, and the bacon and basil added a nice touch. I'll definitely be making this again.