Almond Crusted Chicken Breasts Stuffed With Dried Apricots And Cherries Recipes

ALMOND-CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS STUFFED WITH DRIED APRICOTS AND CHERRIES

Steps:

• In small bowl combine cherries, apricots, port and water.
• Cover and set aside 6 hours or overnight.
• Drain liquid into small saucepan.
• Salt and pepper both sides of chicken breasts.
• Spoon about 2 tablespoons fruit onto center of each chicken piece.
• Fold both sides over fruit to overlap, and secure with bamboo skewer or wooden picks.
• Into three shallow bowls place flour, egg and almonds mixed with bread crumbs.
• Thoroughly coat each filled chicken piece with flour, then egg, then almond mixture.
• Place on plate in single layer; cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees.
• In 12-inch skillet heat butter and oil over medium heat.
• Pan-fry the chicken bundles, turning once, until well browned, about 5 minutes on each side.
• Transfer to baking sheet and finish cooking in center of oven 8 to 10 minutes, being sure chicken juices run clear.
• Meanwhile, add the shallots to the port mixture and reduce by half over medium-high heat.
• At the same time, in another saucepan, reduce the cream by half.
• Strain the port mixture into the reduced cream.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Ladle hot sauce onto eight serving plates, dividing equally.
• Remove skewers and place chicken on sauce.
• Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.

CHICKEN TAGINE WITH APRICOTS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Stir together ground cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Add chicken and turn to coat well.
• Heat butter and 1 tablespoon oil in base of tagine (or in skillet), uncovered, over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then brown half of chicken, skin sides down, turning over once, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Brown remaining chicken in same manner, adding any spice mixture left in bowl.
• Add onion and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to tagine and cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Tie cilantro and parsley into a bundle with kitchen string and add to tagine along with 1/2 cup water, chicken, and any juices accumulated on plate. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 30 minutes.
• While chicken cooks, bring honey, remaining cup water, cinnamon stick, and apricots to a boil in a 1- to 2-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until apricots are very tender (add more water if necessary). Once apricots are tender, simmer until liquid is reduced to a glaze, 10 to 15 minutes.
• While apricots cook, heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in a small skillet over moderate heat and cook almonds, stirring occasionally, until just golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Ten minutes before chicken is done, add apricot mixture to tagine. Discard herbs and cinnamon stick, then serve chicken sprinkled with almonds on top.

ALMOND-CRUSTED APRICOT-AND-BRIE-STUFFED CHICKEN RECIPE - (4.1/5)

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC). 2. With knife held horizontally and starting at the thinner side, cut each chicken breast in half, but not all the way through; open like a book. 3. Arrange brie slices over chicken, leaving a ½-inch (1-cm) border uncovered. Sprinkle with apricots, ¼ cup (50 mL) of the almonds, rosemary, salt and pepper; close breast, pressing around edges to seal. 4. In a shallow dish, combine bread crumbs and remaining almonds. Dip the chicken breasts in the egg; then dredge in crumb mixture, pressing gently to coat completely. 5. In a large ovenproof skillet, melt butter and oil over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to oven; bake until cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes.