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Joe was in D.C. recently and bought me the White House Cookbook
When my mom was visiting over the weekend, she picked up the latest addition to my cookbook collection and found a recipe she wanted me to copy for her. Cheese Stuffed Italian Chicken – not something I’d usually pick out of a book. But, after reading it through I was sold. Instead of being stuffed with a heavy cheese, it’s filled with a parmesan-cottage cheese mixture that gives it a little pizazz. It’s perfect for a healthier, weeknight meal.
My mom has a great eye for good recipes.
My Mom (left) and Me
We did a lot of cooking while she was here – lemon thyme chicken, chicken and black bean toastadas, and salmon with lentils. She and I ate tons of salad and fresh fruit – but we didn’t make this. I decided to give this recipe a go for Monday’s dinner. She asked me to share the variation so she can try my version at home.
My mom waving a knife dangerously…I think she’s got some repressed anger from my teenage years.
Joe and I both loved the flavor combos, especially the homemade tomato sauce. If I were going to make this for company, I’d double or triple the cheese stuffing to make it a little fancier.
I butterflied the chicken breasts to help flatten them out. If you don’t know how, it’s very simple. I’ll teach you how in my tutorial.
This dish comes together with no effort at all. I know it’ll become a favorite at your house. It did at ours.
Reminder…
Shirley from Gluten-Free Easily is hosting this month’s Adopt A Gluten Free Blogger. I’m adopting Alta from Tasty Eats at Home – I always learn something from cooking my fellow bloggers’ recipes and this month will be no exception.
If you’re a gluten-free blogger then hop on over to Shirley’s site, read the details, and adopt someone you admire. Posts aren’t due until September 3rd so you have more than enough time.
Linked to Real Food Wednesday, Wheatless Wednesday, & Gluten-Free Wednesday.
This recipe was adapted from The White House Cookbook.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 medium onion, sliced thinly
- 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons shredded carrots
- 1 clove garlic, grated on a microplane
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano, divided
- pinch of cinnamon
- 8 – 10 drops liquid stevia
- 4 ounces tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup canned diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese
- a few grinds of black pepper
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella or oaxaca cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Coat a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat olive oil in a medium nonstick pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until starting to soften. Add celery, mushrooms, carrots, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, cinnamon, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and let the sauce reduce while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. Once sauce has thickened, taste add 8 drops of stevia. Taste and add more if necessary. The sauce shouldn’t be sweet – instead, the stevia will just balance out the acid from the tomatoes.
- Mix cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Butterfly chicken breasts, then cover with plastic wrap and pound to 1/4 inch thick with a meat mallet or a skillet. (I use my small, stainless steel saute pan.)
- Divide cheese evenly between the two chicken breasts, roll, and place in prepared baking dish seam side down. Top with tomato sauce. Cover and bake for 30 – 40 minutes, until baked through. Top with shredded cheese, return to oven uncovered until cheese has melted. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
gfe--gluten free easily
posted on August 17, 2010 at 9:38 pm
What wonderful photos of you and your mom, Amy! You both look sensational (dangerous knife moves aside LOL).
And, that chicken dish looks pretty darned good, too!
Shirley
[Reply]
Christianne
posted on August 18, 2010 at 9:06 am
This sounds great and so much healthier since I am also mostly dairy free for cholesterol reasons.
Also you and mom look FABULOUS, Youthful and FIT!
Thanks for posting btw I love your new locks!
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Miz Helen
posted on August 18, 2010 at 9:26 am
You and your Mom look like you are having so much fun together, that is a beautiful gift!
I can’t wait to try the chicken, it looks so good.
[Reply]
Kalynskitchen
posted on August 18, 2010 at 10:18 am
Love seeing the photos of you and your mom (and the chicken looks good too!)
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Suzanne Collier
posted on August 18, 2010 at 12:10 pm
What a great post and awesome looking recipe! I’m always looking for a new, healthy AND tasty chicken recipe because chicken is not MM’s favorite. But I know this is something he will sink his teeth into and love!
You and your mom cannot deny each other! What beautiful ladies!
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
August 18th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
@Suzanne Collier, Thanks…you’re so sweet. I miss her a bunch and she’s only been gone a few days.
[Reply]
Barbara @moderncomfortfood
posted on August 18, 2010 at 2:28 pm
As you suggest, I can most definitely see this recipe becoming a favorite at our house. I often feel stumped when cooking an Italian Night dinner since it’s so easy to get carried away with rich ingredients. I particularly like the way this recipe lightens things up while still retaining the Italian flavors we so enjoy. Wonderful! And thanks for sharing.
[Reply]
Jean
posted on August 18, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I’ve been told that putting a carrot in tomato sauce balances the acid too and no sweet taste.
[Reply]
Donielle @ Naturally Knocked Up
posted on August 18, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Sounds great! Thanks for linking up- stumbled!
[Reply]
KatieC
posted on August 18, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Hey Amy – So glad you and your mom had a good time together. The dish – and your hair!! – looks great!
<3,
Katie
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
August 18th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
@KatieC, Thanks! We really had a great time. I hope we can all get together again soon. Hugs!!
[Reply]
SnoWhite
posted on August 19, 2010 at 7:52 am
what fun to enjoy the time with your mom!! Those chicken breasts look delightful!
[Reply]
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen
posted on August 19, 2010 at 11:23 am
Amy you are just glowing in those pictures with your mom! I love your haircut!
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Amy Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Thanks, Jen! It was so nice to have her here for a few days. (I love my new haircut, too!)
[Reply]
Maggie Savage
posted on August 19, 2010 at 11:40 am
Amy I love the pics of you and your Mom. So cute! It’s neat to get a little glimpse into your life! Thank you for sharing. I’ll pass this recipe onto my Mom, I think she’d love it.
[Reply]
carrie @ gingerlemongirl.com
posted on August 19, 2010 at 2:58 pm
YOU are just so darn cute! Those are such great pics with your mom! And what a wonderful meal! That looks SO delicious! I can’t wait to try it! I love pounding chicken, I think it’s an awesome stress reliever! lol…
[Reply]
Alta
posted on August 20, 2010 at 7:56 am
How wonderful that your mom came to visit! It’s such a treasure to spend time with family when they live far away. This dish makes me drool. Yum.
[Reply]
Linda
posted on August 21, 2010 at 5:52 pm
What great pictures of you and your mom together. Your new hair cut still looks fabulous on you. That chicken dish looks delicious. I’m sure my family would love it.
[Reply]
Aubree Cherie
posted on August 23, 2010 at 8:06 pm
This looks so good! I’ve never successfully attempted to stuff a chicken breast, but this looks divine.
Also, it’s so nice to see you and your mom’s beautiful smiling faces. You and your mother look so much alike! (which is most certainly a compliment to both of you
)
~Aubree Cherie
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:39 pm
@Aubree Cherie, Stuffing a chicken breast is so much easier than you think…it’s really much like making a burrito but you don’t have to roll the ends in.
I actually look much more like my Dad than my mom…we have the same cheeks and nose. Thanks for the flattering compliment. Hugs!
[Reply]
City Share
posted on September 23, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Wow, the White House cook book sounds fun. Does it have a recipe to represent each President? That chicken sounds delicious. I almost never make stuffed chicken, but I should. It’s pretty easy and it always feels special. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
September 26th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
@City Share, No, not a recipe for each president but it has some really old recipes, which I love. And, then it’s got updated, healthier versions of the originals. All around a fun book.
[Reply]
Steven Fink
posted on December 4, 2012 at 1:47 am
Love your recipes! I was wondering if there is anyway I can subscribe to your sight? Steve Fink
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