Goat's Cheese & Thyme Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 3 1/2 ounces goat's cheese, a firm variety
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, plus 2-3 sprigs
• 4 slices bacon, thinly sliced
• 2 zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• 8 ounces tomatoes, on the vine if possible, thinly sliced

Directions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 375 degrees.

2. 2

   Split the chicken breasts almost in half from one long side and open them out like a book.

3. 3

   Bat them out a little with a rolling pin to flatten them.

4. 4

   Season on all sides.

5. 5

   Put half the goat's cheese on each piece of chicken and sprinkle with the thyme leaves.

6. 6

   Fold the chicken over to enclose the cheese, then wrap each one in two slices of the bacon.

7. 7

   Lightly oil a shallow gratin dish, then arrange overlapping rows of zucchini and tomatoes over the base.

8. 8

   Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and thyme sprigs. Sit the chicken on top.

9. 9

   Bake for 40-45 minutes until the bacon is crisp and golden and the courgettes are tender.

10. 10

    Serve straight from the dish with new potatoes or good bread.