How to Make Queen of Hearts Chicken

New recipes are everywhere, but here's one you can count on to make the whole family smile. Variations such as mushrooms and black olives can be added or substituted, but the 'as is' recipe is satisfying to everyone even if they don't like swiss cheese, bell peppers or onions in general. The recipe utilizes the ingredients to flavor the chicken, so even the pickiest kids are likely to say "wow"!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 6 Chicken breasts
• 6 Bacon Strips
• 6 Toothpicks
• 1/4 cup diced bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1/3 cup of carrots (round sliced - see picture)
• Olive oil
• 3 slices of swiss cheese
• 3 slices of mild cheddar cheese
• 2 baking dishes

1. Preheat oven to 350. Split chicken breasts so that they lay almost flat in a baking dish. Spread them evenly in the dish, and equally distribute 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Bake at 350 for approximately 20 minutes (breasts will not be cooked at this point)
   
   While chicken is baking, use 2 tablespoons of olive oil to sautee the onions, bell peppers and carrots until tender, but remove from heat while still slightly firm.
2. Lay a strip of bacon in a separate baking dish. Place a peice of the flat chicken breast in the middle of the bacon strip.
3. Place a half slice of swiss cheese over the top of the chicken breast. Scoop a tablespoon of the onion/pepper/carrot sautee over the slice of swiss cheese.
   
   Roll one end of the bacon inward, while holding the other one in place. Pull the other end of the bacon to close the chicken fairly tightly (still leaving space to keep the veggies from being squeezed out). Stick the toothpick in so that it holds the assembly together.
4. With filled and wrapped chicken hearts placed separately in the baking dish, cover with foil and return the dish to the oven. Increase the temperature to 425 and bake for 20-30 minutes depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breast.
   
   Lastly, place the slice of cheddar cheese on top of the heart and return it to the warm oven long enough for the cheese to melt.
   
   Serve on a separate platter, and pour the juice/oil from the baking dish over the hearts.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer a crustier chicken, remove cooked hearts from the baking dish with oil, and place them on a baking sheet, return to the oven at a higher temperature (if you use broil be sure to watch the hearts to ensure you do not over cook) and bake until the outer bacon begins to brown.