Sufra Dayma:

Chicken Stuffed with Cheese and Basil

By Moushira Abdel-Malek

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Ingredients:

4 single chicken breast fillets

350 gms. cherry tomatoes (halved)

2 garlic cloves (thinly sliced)

8 large fresh basil leaves

2 tsp. fresh thyme (chopped)

4 large slices of tasty yellow cheese (thinly sliced)

1/3 cup olive oil

Salt + pepper

Method:

Preheat oven to 220 degrees. Use a knife to cut a horizontal slit in the side of each chicken fillet (do not cut all the way through). Open fillets so each lies flat. Season with salt and pepper. Fill each with one slice of cheese and two basil leaves. Fold to enclose filling, then secure with a toothpick. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 7 minutes each side, or until cooked through. Transfer to plate. Cover with foil paper and set aside. In a roasting pan, combine tomato, garlic, thyme and remaining oil. Season and cook in oven for 15 minutes, or until tomato softens. Pour over chicken fillets and serve.