Baked Chicken Parcels

In honor of Valentine's Day, I wanted to post a quick and easy, yet elegant recipe.

Baked Chicken Parcels

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup of baby bella mushrooms, finely sliced
2 yukon gold potatoes, finely sliced
1 cup baby carrots
2 T olive oil
1 T parsley, finely minced
1 t lemon zest
juice of one large lemon
4 small bay leaves
salt/pepper
1 t garlic powder (optional)

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Score the top of each chicken breast in the thickest section 2 or 3 times. Salt and pepper each side to season.

Combine all of the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and gently toss to combine.

Cut off four sheets of heavy foil large enough to hold a single chicken breast and an equal portion of the potato and carrot mixture. Place a handful of the potato mixture in the middle of each sheet of foil, making sure each has a bay leaf. Place a chicken breast on the top of each portion of vegetable mixture. Fold together the foil, bottom to the top and then the sides, folding over and crimping the edges closed. You want to make sure that each pouch is completely sealed, but that there is room in the parcel for the steam.

Place the parcels in a shallow pan and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the chicken is
done (165 degrees). Be careful opening up the pouches, as steam will build up.

Simple, yet elegant. You can't go wrong!