Pecans are a main attraction here, included with sour cream and lemon in the sauteed broccoli-cream cheese stuffing as well as in the chicken breading. This recipe is sure to become a mainstay in your entertaining repertoire.
INGREDIENTS (for 9 servings):
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon chopped pimento
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
- 8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
PREPARATION:
To Make Broccoli/Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium saucepan over low heat, heat the lemon juice, butter or margarine, garlic, basil and pimento until butter or margarine has melted. Add the 1 cup pecans, broccoli and onion and cook until broccoli is tender; then add the sour cream and cream cheese and mix all together until smooth. Let cool, cover and refrigerate to chill for 30 minutes.
Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of the broccoli/cream cheese filling in the center of each chicken breast, roll up, tuck in sides and fasten with toothpicks. Put the egg beat in a shallow dish or bowl, and mix the bread crumbs and 1/2 cup pecans together in another shallow dish or bowl. Dip the chicken rolls in the egg, then in the pecan mixture.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and saute coated chicken rolls in skillet until well browned on both sides, about 2 to 4 minutes each side. Place browned rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and chicken meat is white. Serve with a small portion of leftover broccoli/cream cheese mixture on top of each chicken breast.