Bacon and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken, Grits and Garlic Broccoli

This is a simple weeknight meal with a lot of flavors that kids will like.  I stuff chicken breasts with a variety of different things, usually some combination of meat and cheese and this combo is always a favorite.  You can try other cheeses such as pepper jack to mix it up but I always have cheddar on hand so it is a go to for me.  My daughter likes plain steamed broccoli which can get old.  I mix it up with this garlic butter every now and again.

This recipe serves 4.

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied for rolling

6 pieces of cooked bacon

Block of sharp cheddar

Salt and pepper

Olive oil

Broccoli florets

2 garlic cloves grated or minced

2 tbsp of butter

Grits (or rice)

Pre heat oven to 400. Lay the chicken breasts down on a cutting board outer side up and season with salt and pepper.  Flip the breasts over and place them lengthwise on the cutting board.  Break the bacon in half and place an even layer over the meat leaving a 1" border at the top and bottom and a 1/2 inch at the sides.  Wash you hands before handling the cheese.  Slice cheese thinly and cover the bacon in a thin layer.  Roll chicken closed.  Heat olive oil in a sauté pan and add chicken seam side down and sear for 5 minutes until brown.  Flip over and brown on the second side 5 minutes.  You can take a skewer or toothpick and press throughout the seam during the browning on the second side to keep it from opening up.  Place browned chicken in a baking dish and bake in oven until cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20 minutes.  Before baking you can top the chicken with additional bacon and hot sauce if desired.

Meanwhile, steam or blanch broccoli until just tender about 5 minutes.  Place butter and grated garlic in a microwave proof dish and microwave until butter is melted and garlic is just beginning to bubble, 30 seconds at a time.  Should take 1 - 1 1/2 minutes.  Stir garlic butter into the cooked broccoli and season with salt and pepper.  Alternately you can cook the garlic butter on the stovetop over low heat.  Prepare grits or rice according to package.  To serve, slice chicken into 1/2" rounds and server over the grits or rice with the broccoli on the side.