No-Stress Barefoot Contessa Chicken With Goat Cheese And Basil Recipe

Barefoot Contessa Chicken with Goat Cheese and Basil transforms ordinary weeknight cooking into a culinary adventure.

Her signature approach elevates classic ingredients through unexpected combinations and bold flavors.

Imagine a dish that whispers sophistication while promising comfort and satisfaction.

Tender chicken becomes a canvas for creamy, herbaceous notes that dance across your palate.

Goat cheese adds a luxurious richness that melts into each succulent bite.

Home cooks can easily replicate this restaurant-quality creation with minimal preparation time.

When Goat Cheese Meets Chicken and Sparks Fly

• Elevate Simple Chicken: Transform ordinary chicken breasts into a gourmet dish with minimal effort, using just a few high-quality ingredients that make the meal feel restaurant-worthy.
• Burst of Fresh Flavors: Creamy goat cheese melts under the chicken skin, creating a luxurious texture while fresh basil leaves infuse a bright, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness of the cheese.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Winner: Requires only 10 minutes of prep time and bakes in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

What You’ll Need for This Creamy Basil Pairing

• Chicken Breasts: Large, boneless cuts that will serve as the primary base of the dish, best when fresh and evenly sized for consistent cooking.

• Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that adds rich moisture and distinctive flavor to the chicken, choose soft and fresh variety.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Aromatic herb that provides a bright, herbal note to complement the chicken and cheese, select bright green leaves with no wilting.

• Olive Oil: Helps create golden, crispy skin and adds subtle richness, use extra virgin for best flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and helps season the chicken thoroughly.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, slightly spicy undertone to the dish, freshly ground provides more robust flavor.

The Method for Pure Goat Cheese Chicken Joy

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 190°C (375°F) and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken Breasts

Spread chicken breasts on a sheet pan and gently slide your fingers under the skin, keeping one side connected like a delicate chicken tent.

Step 3: Stuff With Creamy Goodness

Slice goat cheese into delectable rounds and tuck them under the skin along with fresh basil leaves. This is where magic happens!

• Goat cheese slices
• Fresh basil leaves

Step 4: Season And Massage

Carefully pull the skin back over the cheese and basil, creating a beautiful cover. Massage chicken with olive oil, then shower generously with salt and pepper.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and let it cook for 35-40 minutes. Watch for golden-brown skin and ensure chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Step 6: Serve And Savor

Pull out your masterpiece and serve hot or at room temperature. Let the flavors dance on your taste buds and enjoy your culinary dish!

Chef Tips for Getting That Creamy Finish

• Prep Skin Like a Pro: Gently separate the chicken skin from the meat using your fingers, creating a delicate pocket for the goat cheese and basil to nestle into.
• Harvest Fresh Flavor: Pluck basil leaves right before cooking to maximize their aromatic oils and ensure a bright, zesty taste that dried herbs can't match.
• Elevate with Gourmet Cheese: Select a creamy garlic-and-herb goat cheese to add luxurious depth and complexity to the chicken's filling.
• Master the Seasoning Art: Liberally sprinkle salt and pepper to unlock the chicken's natural flavors and create a perfectly balanced bite.
• Cook with Precision: Watch the chicken carefully, removing it from the oven the moment it reaches perfect doneness to preserve its juicy, tender texture.

How to Save the Goodness for Later

• Freeze Strategically: Protect your delicious chicken by wrapping individual portions tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Label with the date and consume within 3 months for optimal flavor and texture. Press out excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain the dish's original delectable taste.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Transfer leftover chicken to a glass or ceramic airtight container with a secure lid. Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to keep the goat cheese and basil fresh. Consume within 2-3 days for the best quality and flavor preservation.
• Reheat Carefully: Restore the chicken's moisture and prevent drying by covering the dish with a damp paper towel before microwaving.

Try These Fancy Spins on the Goat Cheese Combo

• Herbal Haven: Replace basil with a mix of fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced jalapeños and pepper jack cheese under the skin, then sprinkle with smoked paprika and cumin for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Magic: Incorporate sundried tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese instead of goat cheese, then garnish with chopped fresh oregano for a Greek-inspired version.
• Mushroom Lover's Dream: Layer thin slices of sautéed wild mushrooms alongside the goat cheese under the chicken skin, creating an earthy and rich alternative preparation.

Say Goodbye with a Bite of Creamy Chicken Bliss

Barefoot Contessa’s chicken recipe transforms ordinary dinner into an elegant culinary experience.

Goat cheese melts luxuriously beneath crisp skin, creating Mediterranean-inspired magic.

Fresh basil adds aromatic complexity to each succulent bite.

Ina Garten’s signature simplicity shines through this foolproof technique.

Home chefs can effortlessly craft restaurant-quality chicken with minimal ingredients.

Double-tap this recipe, share with passionate cooking enthusiasts, comment with your flavor twists, and let deliciousness inspire kitchen adventures.

Barefoot Contessa Chicken With Goat Cheese And Basil Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chicken with goat cheese and basil delivers Mediterranean-inspired elegance to dinner tables. Succulent chicken breasts meet tangy goat cheese and fragrant basil, creating a simple yet sophisticated dish that transports diners to Italian countryside kitchens.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 boneless chicken breasts, skin on
• 225 to 280 grams (8 to 10 ounces) garlic-and-herb goat cheese (e.g., Montrachet)

Herbs:

• 6 large fresh basil leaves

Seasonings and Oil:

• Good olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Warm the culinary chamber to 190°C (375°F), ensuring precise temperature for optimal cooking conditions.
2. Arrange chicken breasts on a spacious baking sheet, delicately separating the skin from underlying meat while maintaining one edge connected.
3. Craft flavor layers by meticulously slicing goat cheese into approximately 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) thick portions, then gently nestle individual cheese slices alongside plump fresh basil leaves beneath the loosened chicken skin.
4. Carefully realign skin to completely encase cheese and basil, creating a protective flavorful barrier. Massage exterior with premium olive oil, then liberally distribute kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper across the surface.
5. Transfer prepared chicken into preheated oven, allowing culinary transformation for 35 to 40 minutes. Monitor until skin achieves a golden-bronze complexion and internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F), confirming complete protein doneness.
6. Present the aromatic chicken either piping hot or at ambient temperature, inviting diners to savor the elegant herbed and cheese-infused protein.

Notes

• Gently loosen the chicken skin to create a pocket for maximum flavor infusion. This technique allows the goat cheese and basil to spread evenly and keep the meat incredibly moist.
• Prioritize fresh basil for an aromatic and vibrant taste experience. Dried herbs simply cannot match the bright, herbaceous quality of freshly chopped basil leaves.
• Select premium garlic-and-herb goat cheese to elevate the entire dish. High-quality cheese transforms an ordinary recipe into something truly spectacular.
• Liberally season with salt and pepper to unlock deep, complex flavors. Proper seasoning brings out the natural richness of the chicken and filling.
• Watch cooking time carefully to prevent dry meat. The perfect chicken is just cooked through, maintaining a juicy and tender texture that melts in your mouth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 185.7 kcal
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 10.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 5.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg