Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Tray

Start by preheating your oven to 390°F (200°C). This ensures that your oven is ready when you’re done preparing the chicken and that the chicken will cook evenly. Line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent the chicken from sticking and make cleanup easier.

Step 2: Season the Chicken Breasts

While the oven is heating, take your chicken breasts and pat them dry with a paper towel. Drying the chicken helps the seasonings adhere better. Once dry, season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. This step is important for building flavor in the chicken.

Next, use a sharp knife to carefully create a pocket in each chicken breast. Be sure not to cut all the way through the chicken. You want to create enough space for the ricotta filling but leave the sides intact so the cheese doesn’t spill out while cooking. The pocket should be deep enough to hold the ricotta mixture securely.

Step 3: Prepare the Ricotta Filling

In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté it gently for about 2 minutes, just until the garlic softens and becomes fragrant. You want the garlic to be fragrant but not burnt, as burnt garlic can turn bitter and affect the overall flavor of the dish.

Once the garlic is ready, remove it from the skillet and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. To the bowl, add the ricotta cheese, diced sage, rosemary, and honey. Stir the mixture thoroughly to combine. The ricotta will take on the flavors of the herbs and honey, creating a creamy, aromatic filling that pairs perfectly with the chicken.

Be mindful not to add too much ricotta to the chicken. While it may be tempting to fill the chicken breasts generously, too much ricotta can cause it to spill out during cooking, creating a mess and preventing the chicken from cooking evenly. Use just enough filling to stuff the pocket, and save any leftover ricotta for other recipes.

Step 4: Stuff the Chicken Breasts

Once the ricotta mixture is ready, carefully stuff each chicken breast with the filling. Use a spoon or spatula to ensure that the ricotta mixture is evenly distributed inside the pocket. Be gentle while doing this to avoid tearing the chicken. If your chicken breasts are on the smaller side, you may have some leftover ricotta filling, which you can save for another dish, like a pasta or a salad.

Step 5: Brown the Chicken

Now that your chicken is stuffed, it’s time to brown it. Heat a little more olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes on one side until golden brown. Then, flip the chicken breasts over and cook for an additional 5 minutes. The goal is to achieve a crisp, golden exterior before transferring the chicken to the oven for further cooking.

Step 6: Bake the Chicken

After the chicken is browned, transfer it to the prepared baking tray. Alternatively, if you’re using an oven-safe skillet, you can place the chicken back into the skillet and transfer it directly to the oven. Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) at its thickest point. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature and ensure that the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and tender.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully slice into the chicken breasts, and you’ll reveal the creamy ricotta filling nestled inside. The golden-brown exterior will provide a satisfying crunch, while the rich, creamy filling melts in your mouth. Serve the stuffed chicken breasts with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, a light salad, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.