Asparagus Stuffed Chicken

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

6 small boneless chicken breast halves
6 stalks asparagus
3 ounces Colby or Colby Jack cheese
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pignoli nuts -- finely chopped
3 eggs
salt and pepper -- to taste
6 ounces pesto sauce
1 Cup heavy cream

Directions:

Pound chicken breasts to a 1/4 inch thickness and set aside. Snap off tough bottoms of asparagus. Place in boiling water and cover for 1 minute. Drain, rinse with cold water; then pat dry. Cut asparagus from tip down stalk into 3 inch lengths. Cut cheese into sticks 1/2 inch high x 1/2 inch wide by 3 inches long. Set aside. Combine bread crumbs, parmsean and pine nuts in a bowl. In another bowl beat eggs.

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place a stick of cheese and an asparagus spear next to one long edge of each breast.

Roll breast around ingredients tucking in ends to form a neat package. Secure with a toothpick. Dip each piece in egg and then in breadcrumb mixture. Make a double coating by dipping again into egg then crumbs. Place packages in a baking dish and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 400F degrees. While the chicken is baking combine pesto and cream in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce 2 minutes until lightly thickened. Serve pesto cream sauce over chicken.

If you want you can make these ahead of time and freeze. These freeze very well.