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The Japanese panko crumbs that are used to coat these chicken breasts are much coarser and lighter than regular bread crumbs. Because of this, they create an extremely crunchy exterior. The result is a crackling bite that leads to the soothing, creamy filling. These special crumbs can be found in Japanese markets and at many supermarkets. If you cannot find them, make or buy coarse bread crumbs and lightly toast them. This dish is particularly versatile since you can serve the chicken breasts whole or you can slice them into roulades for a dressier presentation. Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup finely chopped yellow onion (about 1/2 large onion)
2 small cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup dried apricots (about 2 ounces), plumped in hot water, drained, and chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
1/2 cup fresh goat cheese (2 to 3 ounces), (or use fromage blanc or softened cream cheese)
2 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total), each cut in half lengthwise
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup Japanese panko crumbs or use toasted coarse bread crumbs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons white wine
1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock
Whole fresh sage leaves, for garnish
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Just click here to get a printer-friendly version of this recipe. • Share it: click to send this recipe to a friend! | | Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a medium-size sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium- high heat. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium and add the garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Don't let the onions and garlic brown. Next, add the chopped sage and salt and pepper to taste, and cook until the onions are translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the apricots and cook until heated through, 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Thoroughly mix in the goat cheese and set aside. (This can be made up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before stuffing the chicken breasts.)
Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap. With a kitchen mallet, a cleaver, or a heavy tin can, such as a can of tomatoes, pound the breasts until they are between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick. (They will not roll easily if they are too thick.) Season with salt and pepper.
Spread about 1/4 cup of the stuffing down the center of each chicken breast. Fold up the short ends of the chicken breast, and then roll one long side jelly-roll-fashion to the other side. Tie the ends with string to secure them.
Place the egg in a shallow bowl and the panko crumbs in another shallow bowl. Dip the chicken in the egg, and then roll in the panko crumbs until completely coated. In an ovenproof sauté pan, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the pan and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Then put the pan in the oven and bake until the chicken is a deep golden color and firm when pressed, 10 to 12 minutes.
After the chicken breasts come out of the oven, remove the strings and put them on a warmed platter; tent with foil. Next, place the pan over high heat and deglaze it with the wine. Boil until reduced to about 1 tablespoon, 1 to 2 minutes, and then add the chicken stock. Boil until reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes, and add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and swirl in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
Cut each breast in half crosswise and place one half on its side on the plate. Lean the second half against the first, facing down. Drizzle with the sauce, garnish with sage leaves, and serve immediately.
Note: For a slightly different presentation, cut the chicken breasts into ~12-inch-thick slices and fan them out on each plate. Drizzle with the sauce and garnish with sage leaves before serving. Serves 4 Recipe submitted by:
The New American Cheese book This recipe is from The New American Cheese: Profiles of America's Great Cheesemakers and Recipes for Cooking With Cheese, by Laura Werlin. Copyright © 2000 Laura Werlin. Used with permission. Click here to find out more about this great book!  For more information: Find a recipe | Come add a recipe | Share this recipe
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