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5 1/2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
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1/2 pound mild Italian sausage, casings removed, meat crumbled and cooked
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1/4 teaspoon cayenne
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/3 pounds in all)
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1 egg
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1 tablespoon water
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3/4 cup cornmeal
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1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
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3 tablespoons cooking oil
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In a small bowl, combine the goat cheese, sausage, cayenne, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and the parsley.
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With a sharp knife, make an incision along the side of each chicken breast and cut into the middle, making a pocket without cutting through the edges. Fill each breast with the goat-cheese mixture and pinch the cut side of the breast together to seal in the stuffing.
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In a small bowl, whisk the egg with the water. Mix the cornmeal with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Dip each chicken breast in the cornmeal mixture to coat lightly, then into the egg mixture, and then back in the cornmeal.
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In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderately high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes. Turn and continue cooking until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes longer.
Serve With
Creamy mashed potatoes and a simple green vegetable are delicious with this crisp chicken.
Suggested Pairing
There's a lot going on in this dish, from the Italian sausage to the acidic goat cheese and the crunchy cornmeal. A light, slightly chilled Pinot Noir from Burgundy in France or from Oregon has the fruitiness and acidity to make a perfect partner.