SANTA BARBARA CHICKEN

Santa Barbara Chicken image

Number Of Ingredients 12

8 chicken large (2 1/2 to 3 lb. total), skin removed
1 cup avocado mashed (about 2 medium)
12 slices bacon fried crisp and crumbled
1/2 cup green onion thinly sliced
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
4 ounces jarlsburg cheese shredded (about 1 cup)
1 cup bread crumbs fine dry
1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
Lemon wedges

Steps:

Place one chicken breast half at a time, shiny-side down, between two sheets of waxed paper. With a wooden mallet or rolling pin, flatten to 1/4 -inch thickness. Peel off waxed paper.In a small bowl, stir avocados, bacon, green onions, lemon juice, salt and hot pepper sauce until well blended.Place about 3 tablespoons of the avocado-bacon mixture and 2 tablespoons of the cheese in center of each breast. Fold breast over and enclose mixture, tucking in ends. Fasten with wooden picks.On a sheet of waxed paper, mix bread crumbs and lemon pepper. Dip chicken into butter or margarine, then into seasoned bread crumbs, coating well. Place in a shallow 2-quart baking dish. Pour remaining butter or margarine around chicken. If making ahead, cover and refrigerate up to 1 hour.Bake in a preheated 400° oven for 15 minutes. Baste with butter or margarine and bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until chicken is tender. Remove wooden picks.Serve with lemon.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves