The Mediterranean diet is getting more popular as more scientific research proves it the be a way to live a longer, healthier life. Upping your vegetables, whole grains and fruits, along with some fish and chicken, and lowering your intake of beef and processed foods seems to be catching on in the U.S., even though it’s been the way of life for European countries along the Mediterranean for a long time: Think Greece, Italy, and Spain. I’ve been moving my husband and I more and more into this way of eating and this recipe is a great keeper for dinner. Plus double the recipe for a dinner party!
I used my CaveTools Meat Tenderizer, on the mallet side (SO HANDY!), to flatten the chicken so it could be easily rolled up with all the goodies inside. I used some toothpicks to keep the sides tight so as not to lose any cheesy or veggie yumminess! The CaveTools Tenderizer is especially awesome because before I only had one with a tenderizer on both ends, perfect for beef, but which left my chicken a bit mashed up. The Mallet side on this one is perfect for when you need to flatten the chicken out without damaging it.
It’s also dishwasher safe and comes with a lifetime guarantee! You can get a 15% discount through Amazon.com using code: KRYLK4CT and you can enter my GIVEAWAY below and 1 lucky winner will win a free one!
Enter to Win a CaveTools Meat Tenderizer and Mallet of your own!
- 1/4 cup California walnut pieces
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 6 Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
- 3 sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), diced
- 3 button mushrooms, stems removed and diced
- 1 Tbsp. lemon zest
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. oregano
- ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 chicken breasts (4 ounces each)
- Parchment paper
- ½ cup or about 8-10 fresh basil leaves
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- Preheat the grill to 500°F. Or, if using an oven, preheat it to 400°F.
- In a small bowl, combine the walnuts, feta, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them in half (lengthwise) but leaving them attached at one end. Place between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Using your CaveTools Meat Tenderizer and Mallet, gently pound chicken to flattend with the mallet side. Place 4 to 5 basil leaves on each flattened breast followed by 1/2 of the walnut mixture. Spread evenly.
- Begin rolling the chicken up from one end to the other to form a pinwheel shape. Brush with the olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Secure each roll with butcher string or 3 to 4 skewers. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts and filling.
- If grilling, reduce the heat to medium-high and grill the chicken for 25 to 30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 180 °F. If cooking in the oven, bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
Tip: Prepare the chicken one day ahead and keep refrigerated.
Recipe, photo and content courtesy of California Walnut Board and Commission. For more recipes, visit California Walnut Board and Commission.
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Made the chicken for my meal prep and I can’t wait to taste it. Easy recipe thanks for posting it!
I love this vegetable beef soup! You’ll have to come back and tell me what you think after you try it.
Making an unstuffed version of this. Instead of stuffing jumbo shells with the hamburger mixture I have mixed the hamburger mixture with small shells and covered with the pasta sauce and cheese. hope it turns out good Thanks.
I was happy to have the opportunity to review this cookbook as well and even tested the same recipe on my blog! I now want to start at the very beginning and cook my way from the front cover to the back. Every recipe is a gem.
Made these meatballs and added two hot sausages for an extra kick. They were amazing!
Adding hot sausages sounds great!
I would use it to flatten our breast and put mozz and basil inside. Roll up and bake! Have always wanted to try making that..
Sounds like a caprese stuffed chicken! Delicious!
I would my chicken parmesan.
Always a good choice!
I would make Parmesan and spinach stuffed chicken.
Sounds delicious!
Chicken cordon blu
Yum, good choice!
I just ordered the CaveTools Meat Tenderizer (I could reallllly use is) and got my nice 15% discount on Amazon! Will try that yummy-sounding recipe in a few days (just had chicken a day ago 🙂 . Love those everyday cooking adventures.
The idea of a mallet instead of just a tenderizer is such a great idea!