So, I tried again. I agreed that 450° was a really hot oven, and didn't feel comfortable cooking the chicken breasts at that heat. I lowered it to 350° and cooked for 30 minutes. I also put some olive oil on top, and cooked them in foil packets. They kept their moisture, the cheese was delicious, and I thought of everyone who helped me get to this point. I couldn't have done it without you! Thanks again everyone!
DARN IT! there is NOTHING worse than dried out cardboard when you were expecting deliciousness. my own recipe like yours- is from martha stewart Entertaining from the 80's. chicken stuffed under the skin with ricotta and spinach and lemon. MOIST and fantastic. i'm sure you can access it easily w/ google. doesn't matter that your stuffing is different; follow her cooking instructions and you won't go wrong. all hail martha!
I would not be cooking chicken breast for 40 minutes at 450F (that's a really hot oven). I would suggest cooking at 450F for 15-20 minutes depending on how thick the meat is. The only way to know that you have cooked it to a safe temp (165F internal temperature) is to use a meat thermometer. Or you can make a small cut into the chicken and take a peak. You want it cooked but still juicy. The juices should run clear.
PINK juices, PINK. the chicken continues to cook out of the oven as it sits, and the temp rises ,EASILY, 5 -15 degrees, depending, particularly if it is tented or covered. If you follow this and your chicken, when served, were to be bloody, just nuke /pop back in oven a few minutes. no worries. [disclaimer: i stay away from food nazis waving FDA and thermometers] best, mindy
p.s. gallon of talent- i did something really stupid when i failed to realize that my disclaimer might seem directed at you. It was NOT and i cannot imagine it ever would be. plse accept the apology.
Thank you for helping me out. I myself, felt that way too long to cook it at such a high temperature. I was just following the directions given on the package. That's also why I wanted to know how much time it should cook at a lower temperature. Your advice is helpful though, so there's no harm in giving it a try.
LE B. Thank you for your help (and the laugh!) It gave me more ideas to try out. I didn't take what you said personally, so no apology is necessary. 😁 I'm going to keep trying until I get it right! 😊
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best,
mindy