Romantic Stuffed Chicken Breasts A Deux Recipes

BOURSIN STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F and have a baking pan greased and ready to go.
• If you haven't already pounded your chicken breast halves, do so now- they need to be 1/4" thin.
• Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil.
• Using tongs, briefly dip spinach leaves one at a time into the boiling water to blanch- just a few seconds each leaf or they will get soggy- they should still be mostly raw.
• Pat dry and set aside on a plate.
• Pour finely chopped nuts into a small bowl and roll each chunk of boursin cheese in the nuts to coat and set aside (discard extra nuts that don't stick to cheese).
• Lay pounded chicken breasts on top of a sheet of wax paper on your counter and season both sides of each breast half with some of the salt& pepper (to taste).
• Set 1 well dried blanched spinach leaf on top of each piece of chicken, trimming with kitchen shears if needed so the spinach doesn't extend over the edge of the chicken piece.
• Next,place a nut coated cheese chunk on top of each chicken piece in the center.
• Fold chicken ends up over the cheese to make a bundle, securing with toothpicks if needed.
• Set chicken rolls in a greased baking pan and cover with foil (season with more salt& pepper to taste).
• Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 30 minutes or until chicken is tender and cooked all the way through.
• Meanwhile,combine wine,dressing,and jam in a small skillet.
• Cook over medium-high heat until reduced by half (this may take several minutes- be patient and don't be tempted to raise the heat to quicken the process).
• If the sauce is ready before the chicken, simply remove from burner and reheat slightly before pouring over the cooked chicken.
• If you like, decorate each plate with a garnish of fresh rasperries and a few sprigs of fresh green herbs (optional step).
• Remove cooked cooked chicken to serving plates,with raspberry sauce ladled over the top (removing toothpicks before serving) and garnished if desired.

BACON WRAPPED BOURSIN STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS - A DEUX!

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.
• Lightly oil an oven proof dish with the teaspoon of olive oil - using a pastry brush is best.
• Place one chicken breast between a large piece of cling film and gently beat it with a cook's mallet - beating until large and fairly thin - try NOT make any holes in the chicken! Repeat with the second chicken breast.
• Place the chicken breasts on a work board and spread half the Boursin cheese on each chicken piece - make sure it is spread evenly right up to the edges.
• Roll the chicken breasts up - tucking the last small "fillet" flap up and into the stuffed roll.
• Wrap the bacon pieces or pancetta ham around the stuffed chicken, making sure they do not overlap too much and the edges are sealed underneath.
• Gently lift them into the oiled oven dish.
• Season well with freshly ground black pepper. (Season with salt to taste - the bacon will make it quite salty, so watch out when seasoning with salt.).
• If using the lemon juice, pour over the top of the chicken breasts now.
• Scatter or arrange the cherry tomatoes around the chicken pieces. (I like to keep them on the vine.).
• Place in the middle of a pre-heated oven and roast for between 45 - 55 minutes; the cooking time depends on the size of the chicken breasts and your oven.
• Remove from the oven and place the chicken breasts on a plate - you can serve them whole or sliced. Garnish with watercress, as well as the roasted cherry tomatoes.
• Serve with a selection of seasonal fresh vegetables and a jacket potato, making sure you spoon the excess Boursin sauce over the top of the chicken pieces and the roasted cherry tomatoes!
• Tip:You can make an optional creamy sauce. On taking the chicken out of the oven, add the creme fraiche and white wine to the Boursin cooking juices in the oven dish, whisk together and then gently heat, whisking all the time, over medium heat on top of the stove, or decant the creme fraiche, wine and juices to a small saucepan and heat the sauce in the pan. (Make sure to keep the chicken warm whilst you do this.).
• TO FREEZE:.
• As soon as you have stuffed and wrapped the bacon around the beaten chicken breasts, wrap individually in cling film and put into a freezer container or a freezer bag. Take them out as required and allow to defrost for 4-5 hours at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.
• Cook as above.
• Can be frozen for up to 3 months with no adverse effects on the Boursin cheese.

BOURSIN CHEESE AND BACON STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS - FOR TWO!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375F/190°C.
• Add the 3 tablespoons olive oil to a baking dish, tilting to coat.
• Warm 1 teaspoon olive oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the proscuitto or bacon and cook until crispy. Remove from heat.
• Place each breast between a large sheet of cling wrap and lay on a cutting board. Gently pound each breast with a cook's mallet until flat and thin (about 1/4 inch thick). Be careful not to tear the chicken. Remove wrap.
• Lay the chicken breasts flat on the cutting board and evenly spread the Boursin cheese & the proscuitto onto one side of each breast, all the way to the edges.
• Roll up the chicken breasts jelly-roll style, starting with the narrow end and roll firmly, tucking in ends to form a neat roll.
• Gently place them into the oiled baking dish, seam side down.
• Arrange the tomatoes, haricots verts, and shallots around the chicken.
• Place a thyme sprig onto each breast.
• Drizzle with wine and squeeze fresh lemon juice over all, then sprinkle with lemon zest, a small pinch of salt over the vegetables, and the pepper.
• Place in the center of a pre-heated oven and roast for 40 to 50 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
• Serve vineyard-style with a crusty baguette for mopping the juices.
• To Freeze:.
• Immediately after stuffing and rolling, wrap individually in cling wrap and place into an airtight container or freezer bag. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed above. May be frozen for up to 3 months.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH BANANA GRAND MARNIER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Cover chicken with wax paper and flatten breats with mallet.
• Season inside and out with salt& pepper.
• Mix all ingredients in Step Two together and set aside.
• Melt butter.
• Add remaining ingredients and toss to blend.
• Place half the stuffing on one end of each breast, roll meat around filling, and secure with a toothpick.
• Place stuffed breasts in au gratin dishes.
• Pour half the banana Grand Marnier sauce over chicken and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, basting once.
• Top breasts with sliced bananas and spoon remaining sauce over chicken.
• Return to oven for 2-3 minutes and serve.

ROMANTIC CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKES AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown chicken in oil and butter for 5 to 7 minutes per side; remove from skillet, and set aside.
• Place artichoke hearts and mushrooms in the skillet, and saute until mushrooms are brown and tender. Return chicken to skillet, and pour in reserved artichoke liquid and wine. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
• Stir in capers, and simmer for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat; serve immediately.