Bacon Wrapped Chicken With Blue Cheese and Pecans

gertc96's Note:

A wonderful recipe from Rachael Ray's 30 minute meals..... After watching this episode I had to add this to my menu and it was so good..... What I really liked about this dish was you cooked the bacon wrapped chicken in a skillet 5-6 min. before cooking in oven..... This gives you a nice crispy outside.....I hope you enjoy.....

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup blue cheese , crumbles
• ¼ cup pecans , toasted and chopped
• 2 scallions , sliced on bias
• 4 slices center-cut bacon
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken stock
• ½ cup half-and-half or ½ cup cream
• 2 tablespoons grainy mustard

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Butterfly the chicken breast pieces by cutting across the breast but not all the way through. Open the breasts up and pound lightly between parchment paper. Peel paper away and season the meat with salt and pepper.
3. Cover the seasoned chicken cutlets with blue cheese crumbles, pecans and scallions in equal amounts.
4. Roll the chicken, wrap each roll with bacon and secure with toothpicks. Season the outside of the rolls with salt and pepper.
5. Heat the olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken evenly all over, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a small baking sheet, place in the oven and cook 10 minutes more.
6. Melt the butter in the same skillet pan the chicken was seared in over medium heat. Whisk in flour, cook 1 minute then whisk in stock. Let thicken a minute then whisk in the half-and-half and grain mustard, season with salt and pepper, reduce heat to warm.
7. Halve the chicken and stack to show off the center. Set chicken in gravy or pour over top. Serve with rice and greens, if desired.

Reviews

[P_D]

This was amazing, so tasty. I followed the recipe exactly as listed and was very pleased. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe.

[westtextazzy]

Very good! I saw Rachel Ray make this, and I, too, wanted to try it. Glad I did. The chicken was moist--loved the blue cheese and pecan combo. This is an impressive dish to serve to guests, and it's soooooo easy. Try this one today...

[Dib's]

Ten stars if I could. I used pepper bacon, and since I didnt have pecans I used walnuts. Moist chicken and the sauce was excellent. I served with Smothered Green Beans. Thanks for Posting, Di;-)