Herb-and-Cheese-Filled Chicken Thighs     from   Food & Wine   Mario Batali

Categories:   -   Poultry & eggs -
1 1/2cupfresh bread crumbs
1 1/2cupfreshly grated Parmesan cheese(4 1/2 ounces)
2largeeggslightly beaten
1/2cupgrated Provolone cheese(1 1/2 ounces)
1/2cupcoarsely chopped basil
1/4cupcoarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Finely grated zest of 2 lemons
1tablespoonfinely chopped rosemary
16boneless chicken thighs with skin(about 5 ounces each)
Salt and freshly ground pepper

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1. Preheat the oven to 450°. In a medium bowl, combine the fresh bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, Provolone, chopped basil, chopped parsley, lemon zest and rosemary. Set the chicken thighs, skin side down, on a work surface and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Mound 1/4 cup of the herb-and-cheese filling on each thigh. Fold the sides of the thighs over the filling to enclose it and tie each chicken thigh in 2 or 3 places with kitchen string. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
2. Arrange the stuffed chicken thighs on a large, rimmed baking sheet and roast for about 35 minutes, or until golden brown. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes, then discard the strings and serve.

Recipe by Mario Batali
This recipe originally appeared in November, 2004.