Hot Honey Ricotta Chicken (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with creamy ricotta and herbs, finished with a sweet-spicy honey glaze.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Filling

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
05 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
06 - 1 clove garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Glaze

09 - 1/3 cup honey
10 - 1 to 2 tablespoons hot sauce such as sriracha or Franks Red Hot, to taste
11 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ For Assembly

12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
13 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
02 - In a bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, basil, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix until smooth.
03 - Pat the chicken breasts dry. Using a sharp knife, cut a horizontal slit along the side of each breast to form a pocket, being careful not to cut all the way through.
04 - Spoon the ricotta mixture evenly into each pocket, dividing the filling among the 4 breasts.
05 - Secure the opening with toothpicks if needed. Brush the outside of each chicken breast with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
06 - Arrange the stuffed breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear with an internal temperature of 165°F.
07 - Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine honey, hot sauce, and butter. Warm over low heat, stirring until melted and slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
08 - Remove chicken from the oven. Brush generously with the hot honey glaze. Return to oven and broil on high for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden and caramelized.
09 - Rest chicken 5 minutes before serving. Remove toothpicks and drizzle with extra hot honey glaze if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between the creamy ricotta filling and the sweet-spicy glaze creates an unforgettable flavor experience
  • Ready in under an hour, it's impressive enough for guests but simple enough for weeknights
  • Naturally gluten-free and packed with protein
  • The hot honey glaze creates a beautiful caramelized finish that looks as good as it tastes
02 -
  • For even cooking, ensure chicken breasts are similar in size – pound them gently if needed
  • Let the ricotta mixture sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before stuffing to allow flavors to meld
  • Reserve a few tablespoons of the hot honey glaze for drizzling at serving time
  • For extra flavor, add lemon zest to the ricotta filling
  • If broiling makes you nervous, simply brush on the glaze and return to the oven at regular temperature for 5 minutes
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