Chicken Half Moons

Ingredients and Weight:

• Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless): 1.5 lbs
• Spinach, fresh: 8 oz
• Ricotta cheese: 1 cup
• Parmesan cheese, grated: 1/2 cup
• Basil, fresh, chopped: 1/4 cup
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil: 2 tbsp
• Pasta (penne or rotini): 16 oz

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

25 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pound chicken breasts thin using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
3. Combine spinach, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well.
4. Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
5. Roll up the chicken breasts tightly and secure with toothpicks.
6. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the chicken half moons for 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
7. Transfer the half moons to a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
8. While the chicken cooks, cook the pasta according to package directions.
9. Serve the chicken half moons over the pasta with your favorite sauce (e.g., marinara, Alfredo).

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 650
• Fat: 25g
• Protein: 40g
• Carbohydrates: 70g

Dish Characteristics:

• Tender and juicy chicken
• Creamy and flavorful spinach filling
• Versatile dish that can be served with various sauces and toppings
• Impressive presentation that is suitable for special occasions

User Comments:

• "These chicken half moons were absolutely delicious! The spinach filling was so creamy and flavorful, and the chicken was cooked perfectly."
• "I served these at a dinner party and they were a huge hit. Everyone raved about how tender and juicy the chicken was."
• "I'm not a big fan of spinach, but these half moons were amazing. The spinach filling was perfectly seasoned and not overpowering."
• "I used whole wheat pasta to make this dish a bit healthier, and it was still fantastic."
• "This is one of my favorite chicken recipes. It's easy to make, looks impressive, and tastes amazing."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• To ensure the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) before serving.
• If you don't have toothpicks, you can secure the chicken half moons with kitchen twine.
• Let the chicken half moons rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving to allow the juices to redistribute.