Grilled Stuffed Chicken Breast

Ingredients (Serves 4)

1 head garlic, cloves separated

1 small bunch fresh rosemary sprigs

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for grill pan

4 ounces scamorza or smoked mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/8-inch cubes

2 1/2 ounces fresh ricotta cheese (1/2 cup)

1/4 cup finely chopped roasted red pepper (from a jar)

1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

4 (8-ounce) skinless boneless chicken breast halves

Coarse sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

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.

Meanwhile, stir together scamorza, 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.

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.

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.