Chicken Breasts with Ham and Cheddar Stuffing

Name: Chicken Breasts with Ham and Cheddar Stuffing
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts; Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste; 7 oz (210 g) ham; 1 egg; 3 1/2 oz (100 g) Sharp Canadian Cheddar cheese; 1 cup (250 mL) 35 % cream; 2 tsp (10 mL) butter; 2 tsp (10 mL) vegetable oil; 2 shallots minced; 1/4 cup (60 mL) tarragon flavoured white wine vinegar; 1 cup (250 mL) chicken broth; 2 tarragon stalks

This is the Chicken Breasts with Ham and Cheddar Stuffing recipe.

Prep: 15 min
Cooking: 25 min

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
7 oz (210 g) ham
1 egg
3 1/2 oz (100 g) Sharp Canadian Cheddar cheese
1 cup (250 mL) 35 % cream
2 tsp (10 mL) butter
2 tsp (10 mL) vegetable oil
2 shallots minced
1/4 cup (60 mL) tarragon flavoured white wine vinegar
1 cup (250 mL) chicken broth
2 tarragon stalks

READY FOR REWARDS?

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 °F (180 °C).

Start by slicing chicken breasts horizontally, leaving a sort of hinge so the two halves can be closed over the stuffing like a wallet. Remove the fillets and set aside for stuffing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To prepare stuffing : In a food processor or a blender, blend reserved fillets, ham, egg, sharp Canadian Cheddar and half the cream.

Stuff chicken breasts with mixture and secure with toothpicks. In a frying pan, heat a little butter and oil and sear breasts 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

Place in oven about 15 minutes to complete cooking.

While chicken breasts are cooking, sauté shallots in a little butter and oil until tender. Deglaze with vinegar, add chicken broth and reduce the liquid by half. Add remaining cream and a tarragon stalk and reduce further. Remove chicken breasts from oven, slice and pour over warm sauce.

Garnish with a tarragon sprig and serve.