Goat Cheese and Basil Chicken

I found a good chicken recipe, Goat Cheese and Basil Chicken, from one of Ina's older cookbooks called "Barefoot Contessa at home".  I thought it sounded different with the garlic and herbed goat cheese cooked under the skin instead of stuffing it in the chicken!  Also I had to seek out boneless chicken breasts with the skin on and found it at a store called Whole Foods.  If you do not have one of those stores in your area, just ask your butcher to prepare them for you.  The skin is important as it helps keep the moisture in the breasts and prevents the cheese from oozing out everywhere. It was very simple to prepare and was very delicious!

Goat Cheese and Basil Chicken

4 boneless chicken breasts, skin on

4 oz. garlic herb goat cheese

4 large basil leaves

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place chicken breasts on a foil lined sheet pan.
3. Loosen the skin from the meat, leaving one side attached.
4. Cut the goat cheese in four equal parts. Place 1 piece of goat cheese under the skin on the breast and top with on large basil leaf. Continue until all four breasts are done.
5. Drizzle the olive oil over the breasts evenly. 
6. Salt and pepper the breasts.
7. Bake the chicken for 30-40 minutes, (depending on the size of your breasts) until the skin is lightly browned and chicken is just cooked through.  

Happy Eating!