Fruit Stuffed Chicken Recipes

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH DRIED FRUITS STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the breadcrumbs, raisins, butter, chives, salt, apricots and lemon zest in a bowl. Beat together with a wooden spoon to form a smooth mixture.
• Loosen the skin on the breasts of the chicken using your fingers, then distribute the stuffing under the skin on each side.
• Place the chicken into a large saute pan and roast for 30 minutes.
• Baste the chicken with the fat from the pan. Return to the oven and cook until the thickest part of the leg reaches 160 degrees F, 30 minutes more.
• Rest the chicken for 20 minutes before carving.

HOLIDAY FRUIT STUFFED ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Spread the walnuts out onto a baking sheet and toast them for about 45 minutes, until the nuts start to brown and become fragrant. Watch the walnuts carefully, because they burn quickly. Set the walnuts aside.
• While the walnuts are roasting, rinse the chicken well with cold water, then pat dry inside and out with paper towels. Place the chicken into a small roasting pan, and sprinkle inside and outside with salt and pepper.
• Combine 2 tablespoons Italian dressing, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 teaspoon orange peel, the lemon peel, thyme, and basil in a small bowl. Brush the chicken inside and out with the mixture.
• To make the stuffing, heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the apple, pear, and pineapple chunks; cook and stir about 5 minutes, until the apple and pear are tender. Mix the cooked fruit mixture with the roasted walnuts, bread, prunes, grapes, 2 tablespoons Italian dressing, orange juice, apple cider, 1 teaspoon of orange zest, honey, and cinnamon in a large bowl and stir to combine.
• Increase oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spoon the stuffing into the chicken cavity, including the area under the neck skin. Secure the skin over the neck cavity with toothpicks, and fold the wings underneath the chicken. Tie the drumsticks together.
• Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 1 hour, and untie the drumsticks. Return the chicken to the oven and continue roasting until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 45 minutes to 1 hour additional roasting time. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove the chicken from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH CARIBBEAN ROOT MEDLEY MASH, SOFRITO RUM REDUCTION AND CREOLE FRUIT SALSA

Steps:

• For the creole fruit salsa: Combine the pineapple, mango, papaya, red onion, lime juice or pineapple vinegar, cayenne pepper or Tajín, orange zest, mint leaves and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Toss until well combined and set aside for serving.
• For the Caribbean root medley mash: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Place the garlic on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to combine. Roast until fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Pop the roasted garlic out of the peel and discard the peel. Leave the oven on for your chicken breasts!
• Meanwhile, combine the pumpkin, taro, sweet potatoes and vegetable broth in a stockpot. Season with salt, cover with a tight-fitting lid and bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat until all the vegetables are very tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain the vegetables.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once it's hot, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the chopped red onions and cook, stirring, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or large bowl. Add the root vegetables, butter, cream, cilantro, paprika and roasted garlic to the onions. Process or mash with a potato masher to your desired consistency but still thick. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set the mash aside.
• For the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally and open each one like a book. Sprinkle each with 3/4 teaspoon of the sazón and 1 tablespoon of the dried oregano. Spread 1 tablespoon of the sofrito on each breast. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place 1/2 cup of the mash in the center of each butterflied breast and tie with kitchen twine to enclose the stuffing.
• Heat the avocado oil in a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Once your skillet is very hot, add the stuffed chicken breasts and cook until seared, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 170 degrees F, about 20 minutes. (If you don't have an ovenproof skillet, bake the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet.) Remove the twine, slice each chicken breast into 3 rounds and set aside.
• For the sofrito rum reduction: While the chicken is in the oven, heat a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and garlic paste and cook, stirring quickly, for 30 seconds, then add the sofrito. Stir to combine. Add the honey and oregano sprigs and cook over medium-high heat until reduced by one-fourth, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the rum and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Decrease the heat to low and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes or until reduced to your desired consistency. Remove and discard the oregano sprigs.
• For serving: Place the chicken on a plate and add some of the reduction and 1/2 cup of the salsa on the side. Garnish with lime zest and edible flowers, if using.