Snuggled-Up Chicken

Step 1 -Adjust an oven rack to the center position then preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Step 2 -In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of the oil.

Step 3 -Add the shallots to the heated oil and cook, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.

Step 4 -Stir the chopped broccoli florets and the garlic into shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until the broccoli is bright green and tender, about 3 minutes.

Step 5 -In a large bowl, add the broccoli mixture, the ricotta, the basil, the lemon zest, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the lemon juice, and the crushed red pepper and fold to gently combine.

Step 6 -Wipe the skillet clean.

Step 7 -Use a clean, sharp knife to cut a horizontal slit through the thickest portion of each of the chicken breasts to form a pocket. Be careful to not cut all the way through.

Step 8 -Stuff each of the chicken breast pockets with about 1/3 cup of the broccoli mixture, then secure them with wooden toothpicks.

Step 9 -Evenly sprinkle each of the stuffed chicken breasts with the salt and the pepper.

Step 10 -In the same skillet over medium-high heat, add the remaining oil.

Step 11 -Arrange the stuffed chicken breasts, top-side down, in the heated oil and cook until they are golden, about 3 minutes.

Step 12 -Carefully flip the stuffed chicken breasts over then transfer the skillet to the oven.

Step 13 -Bake the stuffed chicken breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees in the thickest portion of the meat, about 15 minutes.

Step 14 -Transfer the skillet from the oven and let the stuffed chicken breasts rest in the pan until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees in the thickest portion of the meat.

Step 15 -Switch the oven to the broil setting and adjust an oven rack so that it is about 8 inches from the heat source.

Step 16 -Evenly sprinkle the stuffed chicken breasts with the cheese.

Step 17 -Broil the stuffed chicken breasts until the cheese is melted and nicely browned, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 18 -Drizzle the stuffed chicken breasts with the remaining lemon juice, then remove and discard the wooden toothpicks.

Step 19 -Serve the stuffed chicken breasts garnished with the lemon slices.