Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Crispy Polenta Slices

A simple but tasty idea for chicken fillets. It can be prepared in advance during naptime and cooked later. I also find that polenta is a perfect side for toddlers and a great alternative to rice or pasta. It’s tasty, easy to digest and not too messy to eat.

Portions: 2 adults + 2 children
Cooking time: 40 minutes

What's in it: Polenta is made from corn so it is rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber. It’s also a good source of Vitamin B and C, and magnesium. Combined with chicken, cheese and plenty of veg, this makes a nutritious, well balanced family meal.

Ingredients:

• 3 large chicken fillets
• 3 teaspoons pesto
• 100g Mozzarella cheese
• Salt, pepper, flour, olive oil
• 250g polenta flour
• 1 ½ litres water
• Salt, nutmeg
  
  Serve with pan-fried courgettes and peppers.

Preparation:

1. Start with the polenta. Bring water to the boil and stir in polenta flour. Season with salt and nutmeg.
2. Reduce heat and stir continuously, cook for about 10 minutes.
3. Pour polenta mix onto a baking tray or a roasting tin and set aside to cool.
4. Cut a pocket into chicken fillets. Stuff with Mozzarella cheese and 1 tablespoon pesto. Close the pocket using a tooth pick.
5. Season chicken parcels with salt and pepper, then dust with flour.
6. Fry gently in a few drops of olive oil until golden brown and cooked through.
7. Cut polenta into finger thick slices and fry them in a non-sticky frying pan until golden brown.
8. Serve with pan-fried courgettes and peppers.

Preparation tip: Cook polenta in advance and cover with cling film. Prepare chicken parcels and keep in the fridge. Fry chicken and polenta a la minute.

Adult version: Marinate courgettes and peppers with garlic and balsamic vinegar.
Suitable for freezing and re-heating.


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About this blog
This blog is about family cooking. It's important to get together for family meals. Here I'm posting healthy family recipes that kids and adults will love and make cooking for the family more fun. All my family recipes are well balanced and healthy family recipes but they can be tweaked for fussy eaters or spiced up for a more sophisticated adult palate. In addition to the healthy family recipes, I'm publishing some of my knitting and crochet patterns for toddler toys and accessories.