Apple and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

Sweet apples, savory cheese, Italian breadcrumbs, and delicious chicken with a white wine Chardonnay sauce? Oh yes! I happened to be day dreaming about food...and decided at work today the most perfect thing to eat tonight would be some stuffed chicken. I had left over sweet butternut squash from Sunday's dinner...add some rice and green beans and Whammy! = Dinner for two.

2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup chopped apple
2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon Italian-style dried bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon water
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

(My own variations to this recipe: I used a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of curry powder, and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar added to the breadcrumb, apple and cheese stuffing. It creates a sweet and savory flavor :)

Directions
Combine apple, cheese, and bread crumbs. Set aside.
Flatten chicken breasts between sheets of waxed paper to 1/4 inch thickness. Divide apple mixture between chicken breasts, and roll up each breast. Secure with toothpicks.
Melt butter or margarine in a 7 inch skillet over medium heat. Brown stuffed chicken breasts. Add wine and 1/4 cup water. Cover. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink.
Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Combine 1 tablespoon water and cornstarch; stir into juices in pan. Cook and stir until thickened. Pour gravy over chicken, and garnish with parsley. Serve.

(My variations to this part: Instead of using a skillet, I baked the chicken in a small baking dish covered with tinfoil. I put the butter and wine in the bottom. When the chicken was done...about 40 min later on 350 degrees...I combined the cornstarch and water to the wine and butter in the dish. I put the dish back uncovered for about 5-10 minutes until the sauce is thickened. After removing from the oven, spoon the sauce over the chicken. Its sooo yummy!)

Served with cheesy rice, turkey bacon sauteed green beans, and warm butternut squash...a perfect fall dish :)