Cheesy Pepperoni Stuffed Chicken

4 

boneless skinless chicken breasts

 2 oz sliced pepperoni

1/2

  cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 oz)

1

  tablespoon olive oil

4

  cups water

1

  package (7 oz) uncooked elbow macaroni

1

  jar (1 lb 8 oz) tomato pasta sauce (any variety)

Chopped fresh basil, if desired

This was a good recipe, but I changed it a bit. Here is what I did: I basically followed the recipe for the chicken part, only I used pieces of string cheese (sliced lenthwise and then in shorter pieces) instead of shredded mozzarella and turkey pepperoni- sliced in halves to fit better. It would be even better with those little fresh mozzarella pearls.  I just warmed the sauce and cooked 7oz of penne pasta and served them separately. I served this with the yummy Asiago Cheese bread from Wal-mart bakery.

 

 

 

Here is the original recipe from Betty Crocker website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.  Place chicken breasts flat on cutting surface. With knife parallel to cutting surface, cut a lengthwise slit in each chicken breast, forming a pocket, keeping other 3 sides intact. Stuff each chicken breast with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, pressing the edges of each chicken breast to seal.
2. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in oil about 9 minutes, turning occasionally, until well browned on both sides. (Chicken pockets will open slightly during cooking.) Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. In same skillet, slowly add water so as not to splatter. Increase heat setting to high. Heat water to boiling. Add macaroni; cook about 3 minutes or until almost tender. Do not drain. Stir in pasta sauce. Heat to boiling. Return chicken to skillet. Reduce heat to medium . Cover and simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F). Garnish with basil.

Makes 4 servings