Recipe: Chicken with Pear, Sage, and Cheese (stuffed chicken breasts)

CHICKEN WITH PEAR, SAGE, AND CHEESE

"These succulent stuffed chicken breasts can't be beat for simple, healthful, and elegant dining. Juicy pear slices, sharp Romano cheese, and fresh sage are tucked inside the chicken."

4 medium skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound total)
1 small Bartlett pear, cored and cut into 8 thin slices
1 ounce Romano or Emmentaler cheese, cut into 4 thin slices
2 tablespoons shredded fresh sage
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups apple juice (or apple cider)

Cut a 3-inch-long pocket into the thick side of each chicken piece. Insert 2 slices of pear and 1 slice of cheese into each pocket. Insert about 1 teaspoon of the sage into each pocket on top of the cheese, reserving the remaining sage.

In a large skillet cook chicken in hot oil over medium-high heat until brown, turning once. Sprinkle lightly with salt and black pepper. Pour the apple juice over chicken; sprinkle with the reserved sage. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 7 to 10 minutes or just until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Remove chicken from skillet; cover and keep warm.

Bring the cooking liquid in skillet to boiling. Boil gently, uncovered, about 5 minutes or until liquid is reduced to about 1 cup. Serve over chicken.

Makes 4 servings

Nutrition Facts per serving: 257 cal., 7 g total fat (2 g sat. fat), 82 mg chol., 188 mg sodium, 17 g carbo., 1 g fiber, 29 g pro.
Daily Values: 2% Vit. A, 4% vit. C, 8% calcium, 9% iron

Exchanges: 1 Fruit, 2 Lean Meat

Source: Better Homes and Gardens 3 Steps to Weight Loss, 2001