Stuffed Chicken Breasts With Caribbean Root Medley Mash Sofrito Rum Reduction And Creole Fruit Salsa Recipes

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.

ITALIANO CHICKEN AND PASTA MEDLEY

Steps:

• Cook the chicken and garlic in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until the chicken is well browned, stirring often. Remove the chicken mixture from the skillet.
• Stir the stock, tomatoes, Italian seasoning and black pepper in the skillet and heat to a boil. Stir in the pasta. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 10 minutes.
• Stir in the vegetables and cheese. Return the chicken to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the pasta is tender. Serve with additional cheese.

CHICKEN SOFRITO WITH POMEGRANATE AND CILANTRO CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• For the chicken: Add the oil, adobo, garlic, cilantro with stems and red onion to a food processor or blender and blend until a smooth consistency. Place the chicken in a ziptop bag and add the marinade. Marinate, refrigerated, for at least 24 hours.
• Preheat a grill or cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes on each side. Set aside (the chicken will finish roasting with the vegetables).
• For the citrus roasted veggies: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Peel the oranges and cut each section into individual wedges from the membranes. Place the segments in a bowl. Squeeze the juice from the membranes into a separate bowl and reserve.
• Add the canola oil to a large skillet over high heat. Add the tomatoes, red peppers, onions and eggplant and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, adding a little more oil if needed. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place the grilled chicken breasts and citrus wedges on top of the veggies. Pour in the lime juice and reserved orange juice. Transfer to the oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are slightly tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Garnish with the Pomegranate and Cilantro Chimichurri and serve.
• In a medium bowl, combine the cilantro, pomegranate, oil, salt and pepper and toss to coat.

ROAST STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Mix hot water and margarine in large bowl until margarine is melted. Add stuffing mix; stir just until moistened. Set aside. (Do not stuff chicken until ready to bake.)
• Stuff chicken lightly with prepared stuffing; close openings with skewers and string. Place, breast-side up, on rack in baking pan; sprinkle with thyme.
• Bake 1 hour 40 min. or until chicken is done (165°F) and stuffing is heated through (165ºF), basting occasionally with pan juices.