Ingredients

  • 4 large skin on chicken breasts, bone in or boneless
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/4 cup minced shallot
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon, zest of
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh lemon thyme or 1 tablespoon regular thyme
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped prosciutto (may substitute crumbled, cooked bacon)
  • salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • LEMON BUTTER SAUCE
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, to taste

Method

  • Preheat oven to 400*F.
  • Loosen the skin slightly from each chicken breast by sliding a finger gently beneath 1 edge, leaving the opposite edge attached, set aside.
  • Heat 1 TBS of the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat, add the shallots and garlic and cook until tender and aromatic, but not browned, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Take the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon zest, thyme, sage, and prosciutto with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Carefully stuff 1/2 of the mixture under the skin of each chicken breast.
  • Heat the remaining 2 TBs oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
  • Cook the chicken, skin side down, until well browned, about 4 minutes.
  • Turn and cook another 4 minutes, then transfer the breasts to a baking sheet and bake until the juices run clear when pierced with the tip of a knife at the thickest part, about 10 minutes.
  • While the chicken is baking make the sauce by melting the butter in a small skillet over medium low heat.
  • Shake the pan gently so that the butter melts evenly.
  • Watch carefully as the butter begins to foam, then take the pan from the heat when the butter turns a light brown and smells slightly nutty (Don't burn).
  • Stir in the parsley and lemon juice, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, plus more lemon juice if needed.
  • Put the chicken on a hot serving platter, spoon the sauce over and serve.