Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare a Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish with a bit of olive oil or non-stick spray.
2. Prep the Chicken
Butterfly the Chicken Breasts: Start by placing a chicken breast on a cutting board. Hold your knife parallel to the cutting board and slice the chicken breast horizontally, stopping just before you cut through; you should be able to open it like a book.
Season: Open up the chicken breasts and season the inside with salt, pepper, half of the garlic powder, and half of the paprika.
Fill: Place 3 asparagus spears and a generous amount of cheese in the center of each chicken breast.
3. Roll and Secure
Roll the Chicken: Carefully roll the chicken breast up, keeping the asparagus and cheese inside. You can use toothpicks to secure the ends and the seam to keep everything inside.
Season Again: Season the outside of the chicken rolls with the remaining garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Sear (Optional)
Heat Olive Oil: In a large, oven-proof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Sear the Chicken: Add the chicken rolls, seam side down, and sear for about 2-3 minutes, until golden brown. Then, turn and sear the other side. This step is optional but adds a nice texture and color to the chicken.
5. Bake
Bake: If you’ve used an oven-proof skillet, you can directly transfer it to the oven. If not, move the chicken rolls to the prepared baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and no longer pink in the middle. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
6. Serve
Rest: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking, then remove any toothpicks.
Serve: Slice the rolls to show off the beautiful asparagus and cheese stuffing. Serve with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Tips for Success
Thin the Chicken: For thicker chicken breasts, you may want to pound them to an even thickness after butterflying for more uniform cooking.
Cheese Options: Experiment with different cheeses for various flavors; goat cheese or feta can add a nice tanginess.
Customize: Feel free to add additional fillings along with the asparagus, such as sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or roasted red peppers, for extra flavor.
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