Sesame Coated Chix w/ Ricotta & Spinach

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Registered: 04-01-2004
Sesame Coated Chix w/ Ricotta & Spinach
Wed, 04-06-2005 - 4:43pm

Just found this in the April issue of Cooking Light and thought it sounded delish.  It's good for all phases.


Sesame-Coated Chicken Stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach

Vary the greens used in the stuffing, depending on your mood and preference. For an earthier flavor, try a combination of arugula and escarole instead of spinach.


Chicken:
2 (6-ounce) packages prewashed baby spinach
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
Dash of freshly grated nutmeg
6 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Sauce:
1 1/2 cups chopped tomato
2/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1 teaspoon extravirgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 450°.


To prepare chicken, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add spinach to pan; cook 5 minutes or until spinach begins to wilt, stirring frequently. Drain spinach in a colander, pressing until barely moist. Place spinach on a cutting board; finely chop. Place spinach in a medium bowl. Add Ricotta Cheese, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg; stir well to combine.

Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Spread each chicken breast half with 1/4 cup ricotta mixture, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Starting with a short side, roll up each chicken breast half jelly-roll fashion. Place rolls, seam sides down, in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt evenly over rolls; drizzle rolls evenly with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle rolls with sesame seeds, pressing gently to adhere. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes or until chicken is done.

To prepare sauce, combine chopped tomato and remaining ingredients, stirring gently. Serve with chicken.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 chicken roll and about 1/2 cup sauce)

CALORIES 348 (29% from fat); FAT 11.1g (satfat 3.8g, monofat 4.6g, polyfat 1.8g); PROTEIN 49.6g; CARBOHYDRATE 12.3g; FIBER 4.1g; CHOLESTEROL 114mg; IRON 3.6mg; SODIUM 480mg; CALCIUM 245mg;
Cooking Light, APRIL 2005

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