1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves
2 onions, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
2 tablespoons honey, divided
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 pound shredded Swiss cheese
10 slices French bread, crusts cut from approximately 1 half-inch thick
8 ounces ricotta cheese, divided
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and basil, saute until the vegetables are just tender. Stir in onions and saute for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper; cook and stir until tender. Taste to find out just what the celery juices are and continue to incorporate until desired consistency is achieved. Stir in chicken breasts and cheese. Reduce heat, add bread and simmer for a minute or so, then stir in the ricotta cheese and salt/pepper mixture.
Heating the remaining olive oil in the skillet over medium heat, add around a tablespoon of the chicken broth and pour into the bottom of a 4 quart casserole dish. Stack chicken throughout the layer. Cover with 1/2 onion slice, 1/2 lemon slices, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.
Brush gently with remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. First coat with cheese sauce; allow to coat. Spread atop chicken and cheese layer. Salt and pepper to taste. Cover with foil, leaving foil around vertical edge. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until chicken is tender. Cool 10 minutes before removing foil. Then cut chicken into thin strips.
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