CHICKEN BREASTS WITH COTTAGE CHEESE STUFFING

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4-6)

◆ 8 large chicken breasts, on-the-bone

◆ 1 lemon, juice and zest, pared and thinly sliced

◆ 2tbsp olive oil

◆ 2tbsp butter

◆ 1 large bunch chives, chopped

◆ 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

◆ 150g bacon, chopped

◆ 250g crumbly cottage cheese

◆ Extra-virgin olive oil

◆ Freshly-ground black pepper

1 Preheat the oven to 190°C, Fan Oven 170°, Gas Mark 5. Carefully de-bone the chicken breasts and then gently separate the skin from the breast without completely detaching the skin. Season the breasts well and sprinkle with the lemon zest. 2 Heat the olive oil with the butter in a large sauté pan set over a medium heat. Add the chives, garlic, bacon and a pinch of seasoning. Fry until the bacon is golden and cooked through. Set aside to cool before stirring in the cottage cheese. 3 Carefully pack the stuffing between the skin and flesh of the breasts. Secure with cocktail sticks and arrange in an ovenproof dish, drizzling with some extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice. 4 Bake for about 30-40min until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is goldenbrown and crisp. Serve with crushed boiled potatoes and red spinach or baby chard.