Applebee's Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients

• 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 (8 ounce) package monterey jack cheese
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 small red bell pepper
• 1 small green bell pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Cut some of the cheese into 8 slices, and reserve part of it for the cheese sauce. Place 1 chicken breast between two sheets of wax paper. Working from the center to the edges pound with a meat mallet until flat and rectangular shaped. Repeat with remaining breasts. Wrap the flattened chicken breasts around cheese. Secure with wooden picks or uncooked spaghetti noodles.

2. 2

   Combine the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, cumin and pepper. Roll the secured chicken pieces in the melted butter and then in the bread crumb mixture. Place chicken breasts in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish, but don't crowd them. Drizzle the remaining butter over all eight of the breasts. Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze to bake later (baking time will be increased by about 5 to 10 minutes).

3. 3

   Bake in a preheated 400ºF (205ºC) oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is done.

4. 4

   Make a roux with butter and flour. Add about 1 cup milk. Bring to a simmer. Add cheese and lower the heat, stirring constantly so cheese does not burn. Add milk as needed to thin out the cheese sauce. Dice bell peppers.

5. 5

   When chicken is done, pour some cheese sauce over top and sprinkle with diced peppers.