Pepperoni Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Ingredients

• Makes 4 servings
• 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 oz. mozzarella cheese
• 16 thin slices of pepperoni
• 1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup very fine bread crumbs
• 6 Tablespoons olive oil
• salt & pepper (to taste)
• 4 wooden spears

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
3. Slice each breast in half diagonally to create two diamond-like shaped pieces.
4. Using a small, sharp knife, cut a pocket into the side of each breast piece.
5. Do not to cut all the way through the meat but rather just into one side so that the fillings will stay in.
6. Stuff each piece of chicken with 1/2 oz. of cheese and 4 slices of pepperoni.
7. Lightly season each piece with salt and pepper. Set the stuffed chicken aside.
8. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium/high heat.
9. Prepare 3 flat plates.
10. Using three plates, put the flour in one, the egg+water in another and the bread crumbs in the third.
11. One by one, coat each piece of chicken in the flour, then the egg then the bread crumbs.
12. Use your hands so that you can keep the open side of the pocket pinched closed and keep the fillings in.
13. Use a wooden spear in each breast to hold together.
14. The flour will help the egg adhere and the egg keeps the bread crumbs in place.
15. Test the heat of the oil in the skillet by dropping a small pinch of bread crumbs in. The bread crumbs should sizzle and dance a lot.
16. The oil must be hot enough or else the breading will soak up a lot of oil and you�ll end up with greasy chicken.
17. Place all four pieces of chicken in the skillet and cook 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy on each side.
18. When you remove the chicken pieces from the skillet, transfer them to the baking sheet and place it in the oven.
19. Continue baking the chicken for about 25 minutes or longer for larger pieces until cooked through.
20. Remove from the oven and serve right away.