Mediterranean Chicken Packets

Tonight I made chicken packets with a Mediterranean flair for dinner. I have had the recipe for quite a few years and haven't made them in a while. Both David and I enjoyed them very much and I will put them back into the meal rotation. I made two packets and we have enough for another dinner since the chicken breasts turned out to be so large. This dish is packed full of fresh flavors and the chicken comes out tender and moist.


Here's the Recipe:
Mediterranean Chicken Packets, makes 4 servings

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
Olive oil
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Kosher salt and freshly gorund black pepper
2 (10 oz.) pkg. frz. chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup thinly sliced yellow onions
1 cup drained and chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
½ to 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
2 tablespoons minced garlic
½ cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
½ teaspoon fresh thyme
4 oz. feta, crumbled

Prepare a grill, or preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Prepare 4 sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil to measure about 12 by 15-inches. Fold in half crosswise to crease, then unfold. Divide the spinach among the 4 foil sheets, placing it in the center of the bottom half.

Lightly coat both sides of each chicken breast with oil, then season with the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Place one chicken fillet in the he center of each spinach portion.

In a medium bowl, combine the onions tomatoes, garlic, wine, basil, thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and stir to combine. Pile the tomato mixture on top of each chicken breast, spreading to cover evenly and allow any liquid to puddle around the chicken. Top each portion with 1 ounce of cheese.

One at a time, fold the top of the foil over the chicken, and starting at the corner, fold the edges of foil over to tightly seal, each fold overlapping the previous one. Place on the grill, or is using the oven, place the packets on a baking sheet and bake until the packages puff and the chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes. Do adjuts cooking time to size of chicken breast. This time is good for about 6oz. each chicken breasts.

Remove from the grill or oven, and cut the tops of the packets open with a small, sharp knife. Serve immediately either in the foil packets, or by removing the chicken, toppings and sauce to dinner plates.