Recipe: Baked Chicken Breasts with Cornbread Stuffing and Sweet Onion Gravy

BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH CORNBREAD STUFFING
AND SWEET ONION GRAVY

8 whole chicken breasts, boned and skinned
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, divided use
1 small sweet onion, diced
3 cups collard greens, washed and chopped
2 cups crumbled cornbread
1 egg, beaten slightly
1 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
FOR SERVING:
Sweet Onion Gravy (recipe follows)
cooked rice

In large fry pan, place all but 1 tablespoon of the butter and melt over medium heat. Add onion and saute until transparent.

Add collard greens and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.

Remove from heat and place onion and collards in large bowl. Add cornbread, egg and sage. Mix well and cool.

Between two sheets of plastic wrap, place chicken breasts, smooth side down. Pound gently with meat mallet or rolling pin until slightly flattened. Place 1/8 of stuffing on center of each breast; roll and tuck ends under. On large, greased baking pan with sides, place chicken.

Melt remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and brush lightly on chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. (At this point, chicken may be covered and placed in refrigerator for up to 24 hours).

TO COOK:
Place in 375 degree F oven and cook about 20 minutes or until meat is no longer pink when tested with a knife. Slice each breast into 5 slices and arrange on plate with Sweet Onion Gravy and rice.

SWEET ONION GRAVY

4 tablespoons butter
2 Vidalia onions or other sweet onions, thinly sliced
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy (whipping) cream
1/2 teaspoon brown food coloring (like Gravy Master or Kitchen Bouquet)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup cold water
2 tablespoons cornstarch

In fry pan, place 4 tablespoons butter and melt over medium heat. Add 2 thinly-sliced Vidalia or other sweet onions and saute until transparent.

Add chicken broth, cream, brown food coloring, salt and pepper; bring to boil.

In 1/4 cup cold water, dissolve cornstarch; add some of gravy from fry pan and stir to mix well. Carefully add cornstarch mixture to gravy, stirring vigorously to prevent lumps. Bring to boil, stirring constantly, until thickened.

Makes 8 servings
Source: National Broiler Council