Italian NotesStuffed chicken breast
Petto di Pollo Ripieno
Stuffed chicken breast is an all time favourite. And not at all difficult to make at home.
For some reason Italian butchers automatically slice up chicken breast in 4-5 wafer thin ‘fette’ that seem grossly misplaced in a ragu or when served as a roast. But if you can manage to deter the knife swinging for a sec, the macellaio will be quite happy to turn a half chicken breast into a large, flat parking space for the most delicious filling.
This recipe is inspired by a visit to Gasthof Rainer in Merano, and although it can be prepared in less than a half hour it is a bit of a show-off. And a nice, juicy, tasteful one, too.
Ingredients
1 chicken breast – two boneless halves (if you can’t persuade your butcher to transform each half into one square, flat cut of meat, you can use a sharp knife to make a pocket in the meat)
3 tbsp grated parmesan
2 tbsp finely chopped speck or prosciutto crudo
1 tbsp roasted pine nuts
1 tbsp bread crumbs
Fresh rosemary
Salt, pepper, olive oil
100 ml white wine or chicken stock
Preparation
Make a stuffing of parmesan, speck, bread crumbs, pine nuts, salt, pepper and rosemary.
Place the half the stuffing on each chicken breast and close the meat around the filling with toothpicks or string.
Roast the chicken rolls quickly on all sides in hot olive oil.
Add wine or both to avoid burning and braise the stuffed chicken under lid for 20 minutes.
Slice the stuffed chicken breast before serving.
Stuffed chicken breast is great when served warm as a main dish, but it also makes a delicious antipasto or sandwich filling as a cold cut.
Alternatives to stuffed chicken breast
