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1
Preheat the oven to 425 F.
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2
In a small bowl combine the goat cheese, garlic, basil, red pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil.
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3
Taste and season with a little bit of salt if necessary.
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4
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
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5
Now its time to stuff these breasts.
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6
Loosen the skin from each breast by running your finger underneath it.
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7
Be careful here peeps, you want to make sure the skin stays connected at the edges.
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8
Use a sharp knife to cut a deep slit into the thick part of each breast.
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It should be about 3 inches long and 1 1/2 inches deep.
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10
Do not go all the way through the breast, capiche?
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You want to make a nice little pocket in the chicken.
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(I know that sounds gross.)
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Spoon a tablespoon of goat cheese mixture into the slit of each chicken breast, pushing it in as deep as possible.
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14
Close the slit over the cheese with your fingers.
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15
(If youre nervous about your stuffing job, you can always use a toothpick or two to hold the chicken together.
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16
Spoon a second tablespoon of goat cheese under the skin of each chicken breast, and smooth the skin over the top.
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17
Place the stuffed chicken breasts into a baking dish in a single layer.
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18
Rub the skin of each breast with a little bit of olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
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Place two thin slices of lemon on top of each breast.
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Bake for 30 minutes until the skin is lightly browned and the chicken is cooked through.
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(If youre scared of under-cooking, whip out your handy meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the breast and make sure that it read 165 F.)
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22
While your chicken is in the oven, prepare your rustic pesto.
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23
Heat a medium skillet/pan over medium heat (with no oil).
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24
When hot, add the pine nuts and toast for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant.
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25
Finely chop pine nuts and place them in a medium bowl.
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Add remaining ingredients for the pesto and mix until well combined.
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27
Done.
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28
Serve your goat cheese stuffed chicken breasts topped with rustic basil pesto and graciously accept compliments on your very fancy culinary skills.
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29
Chicken breast recipe inspired by The Kitchn.
