Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken with Herbed Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 shallots, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3/4 cup soft goat cheese
• 3 dates, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 4 large, thin slices of prosciutto

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Spread 1 tablespoon of olive oil on a baking sheet and set aside.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the shallots and cook until translucent which is about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Transfer the shallot mixture to a bowl. Mix in the goat cheese, dates, and basil. Stir and combine.
3. Cut a 1-inch long slit into the thick side of each chicken breast. Work your fingers into the slit and expand the slit to form a pocket in the breast meat. With a spoon, stuff each chicken breast with about 1/4 cup of the goat cheese mixture. Wrap each chicken breast in a slice of prosciutto so that the pocket opening is covered. Place the chicken breasts, seam sides down, onto the prepared baking sheet.