Portabella and Artichoke Stuffed Chicken

Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 30 min
Servings: 40
Yield: 40 servings

Description

Chicken breasts are split and stuffed with sliced portabella mushrooms, ricotta and feta cheeses, and marinated artichokes in this delicious stuffed-chicken recipe.

Ingredients

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
5 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
6 eggs, beaten
3 cups sliced baby portabella mushrooms
2 (6 1/2 ounce) jars marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
20 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons ground black pepper
4 teaspoons onion powder
4 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried thyme
40 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1 Place 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon thyme together in a small bowl or bottle; pour olive oil into bowl. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate until oil is infused, at least 1 hour.
2 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease enough baking dishes to fit all of the stuffed chicken breasts in a single layer.
3 Stir ricotta cheese, feta cheese, eggs, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, garlic, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, basil, cumin, and 1 tablespoon thyme together in a large bowl.
4 Place chicken breasts on a flat work surface. Use a paring or boning knife to cut from one side of a chicken breast through the middle of the breast to within 1/2-inch of the other side, creating a deep pocket. Spoon mushroom and artichoke mixture into chicken until pocket is full; use toothpick to close and secure the pocket. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts and filling. Place stuffed chicken in prepared baking dishes.
5 Brush each chicken breast with about 1 teaspoon infused olive oil and sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
6 Bake chicken in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Cool slightly before serving, about 5 minutes.