Pecan-Crusted Chicken And Peppered Goat Cheese

• 4 ounces goat cheese, softened
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 (6-ounce) chicken breasts
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup fine, dry bread crumbs
• 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 pound fresh asparagus
• 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1. Mash first four ingredients together in a small bowl with the back of a fork until the mixture is blended and smooth.
2. Spoon goat-cheese mixture on bottom third of a sheet of plastic wrap.
3. Tightly roll goat-cheese mixture in plastic wrap, forming a log.
4. Twist ends to seal.
5. Chill 1 hour or until firm.
6. Meanwhile, place chicken breasts between 2 sheets of plastic wrap, and flatten to 1/4-inch thickness, using a rolling pin or flat side of a meat mallet.
7. Pulse pecans, bread crumbs, and 2 teaspoons salt in a food processor until finely ground; pour pecan mixture onto a large plate.
8. Whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon water in a bowl until blended.
9. Place flour in a shallow dish.
10. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in egg mixture and dredge in pecan mixture until coated, shaking off excess.
11. Snap off and discard tough ends of asparagus.
12. Combine asparagus, tomatoes, olives, 1 tablespoon oil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; toss until coated.
13. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
14. Preheat oven to 425.
15. Place a cast-iron skillet over medium heat 1 minute or until hot; add 1 tablespoon oil.
16. Cook 2 chicken breasts in hot oil for 4 minutes on each side.
17. Transfer chicken to a baking sheet.
18. Repeat procedure with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and chicken breasts.
19. Bake chicken and asparagus mixture at the same time at 425, placing chicken on bottom oven rack and asparagus mixture on top rack, for 10 minutes or until chicken is firm to the touch and at desired degree of doneness.
20. Remove chicken and asparagus mixture from oven; let chicken stand at room temperature.
21. Stir asparagus mixture, and bake 5 more minutes or until tender.
22. Spoon asparagus mixture onto a large serving platter or individual plates.
23. Top with cooked chicken.
24. Unwrap chilled goat cheese, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
25. Place 1 goat cheese slice on each chicken breast.
26. Serve immediately.

goat cheese, garlic, thyme, freshly ground black pepper, chicken breasts, pecans, bread crumbs, kosher salt, egg, flour, fresh asparagus, cherry tomatoes, olives, extravirgin olive oil

Taken from www.foodrepublic.com/recipes/pecan-crusted-chicken-and-peppered-goat-cheese/ (may not work)