Grilled Stuffed Chicken Breast (Petti Di Pollo Ripieni)

This recipe is from La Cucina Italiana. "Slice into the chicken breast to reveal a colorful filling of melted cheese and red pepper. If you don't have a grill pan, simply sear the chicken in a heavy-based skillet, using a little more oil in the pan.". You don't have to use the garlic or the fresh rosemary, but it really finishes off the dish. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  head garlic, cloves separated
• 1  small  bunch fresh rosemary sprig
• 6  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for grill pan
• 4  ounces scamorza cheese or 4  ounces smoked mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/8-inch cubes
• 2 1⁄2 ounces  fresh ricotta cheese (1/2 cup)
• 1⁄4 cup  roasted red pepper, finely chopped (from a jar)
• 1⁄4 cup fresh basil leaf, thinly sliced
• 4 (8 ounce)  boneless skinless chicken breast halves
•  coarse sea salt
•  fresh ground black pepper

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°. Combine garlic cloves and 2 short rosemary sprigs in a 1/2-quart ovenproof saucepan; cover with oil. Bake until garlic cloves are tender and lightly golden, about 35 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, stir together scamorza or smoked mozzarella, ricotta, roasted pepper and basil in a medium bowl. Using a small sharp knife and working with 1 chicken breast at a time, cut a 2-inch-long slit horizontally into 1 side of chicken breast. Move knife back and forth in slit to form pocket. Divide cheese mixture among chicken pockets. Press edges to seal. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Brush grill pan with oil and heat over medium-high heat. Grill chicken until golden on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Transfer chicken to a baking dish and bake until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes.
4. Let chicken stand 5 minutes, then transfer to a serving dish. Remove garlic oil from oven. Garnish chicken with baked garlic cloves, and baked and fresh rosemary sprigs. Serve with garlic oil for drizzling.