Ham Stuffed Chicken Legs With Sweet Pepper Honey And Onion Compote Recipes

HAM AND CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Insert a paring knife into the thickest part of each chicken breast to make a 3-inch-long pocket down the side, cutting in about halfway. Rub the insides of the pockets with 1 tablespoon of the mustard for all 4 breasts. Stuff each breast with 2 half slices of ham and 1 slice of provolone, folding them to fit. Rub both sides of the chicken breasts with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes per side depending on the thickness of the chicken; reduce the heat to medium if the chicken becomes too dark towards the end of the cooking time. Cover the skillet with a lid or a piece of aluminum foil during the last 3 minutes of cooking time to finish cooking the chicken through to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Check the temperature at the thickest part of the breast without stuffing.
• Transfer the chicken to 4 plates or a cutting board and add the chicken broth and remaining 1 tablespoon mustard to the skillet. Cook, whisking, over medium-high heat until the sauce has reduced by about half, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and swirl in the butter and chopped herbs.
• Depending on the size of the breasts, either put 1chicken breast on each of 4 plates or slice all the breasts and divide among 6 plates. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve with Crispy Sliced Roasted Potatoes on the side.
• Serving suggestion: Crispy Sliced Roasted Potatoes, recipe follows.
• Place a rimmed baking sheet in the center rack of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Thinly slice the potatoes about 1/8-inch thick and toss with the oil, salt and pepper. Carefully spread the slices on the hot baking sheet in a single layer and roast until golden and crispy, turning with a metal spatula occasionally and spreading them out to cook evenly, 30 to 35 minutes.

SHEET-PAN CHICKEN WITH SWEET POTATOES AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a small, shallow bowl, mix together vinegar and honey. Mix in half the red onion and a pinch of salt and set aside for garnish, tossing the mixture occasionally as the chicken cooks.
• In a large bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon salt, garlic, coriander and black pepper. Add chicken to bowl and rub the mixture all over it. Let marinate for 30 minutes.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, toss together 2 tablespoons oil, sweet potato, pepper, remaining onion, sage, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, paprika, cayenne and allspice. Spread vegetables out on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil to marinated chicken and turn to coat. Place chicken pieces, skin-side up, among the vegetables, making sure chicken is surrounded by them, but not on top of them. (Chicken should rest directly on the baking sheet.)
• Roast for 15 minutes. Remove pan from oven and raise heat to 450 degrees. Use a wide spatula to flip vegetables over (but not chicken). Drizzle chicken (but not vegetables) with 2 teaspoons liquid from the onion-vinegar mixture. Roast until chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes longer.
• To serve, top chicken and vegetables with a spoonful of onion-vinegar mixture and plenty of cilantro leaves.

HAM-STUFFED CHICKEN LEGS WITH SWEET PEPPER, HONEY AND ONION COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except broth in heavy medium saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until vegetables begin to soften, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add broth; cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
• Transfer 1 cup compote to food processor and puree until almost smooth. Add puree to remaining compote; simmer 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (can be made 2 days ahead. Chill.)
• Combine ham, egg and whipping cream in processor and process until ham is finely chopped.
• Pound each chicken leg between sheets of waxed paper to 1/3-inch-thick rectangle (about 6 inches by 5 inches). Arrange, smooth side down, on work surface. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Divide ham filling among chicken pieces. Spread over center of chicken, leaving 1/2-inch border on short sides. Starting at 1 long side, roll up chicken jelly roll style.
• Place four 9x7-inch foil squares on work surface; butter foil. Place 1 chicken roll in center of each. Roll up foil tightly around chicken, enclosing completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Preheat oven to 500°F. Place chicken on baking sheet. Bake until chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Remove foil from chicken. Cut chicken roll into 3/4-inch-thick slices.
• Rewarm compote over medium heat, stirring often. Spoon onto plates. Arrange chicken atop compote. Top with parsley.

CORDON BLEU CHICKEN ROLLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place each chicken breast half between sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet to about 1/8 inch thickness. Place a finger of cheese on each ham slice and sprinkle lightly with thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Roll up seasoned ham and cheese 'jellyroll-style', then roll each chicken breast with ham and cheese inside. Tuck in ends and fasten with toothpicks.
• Place melted butter in a small bowl and place cereal crumbs in a shallow dish or bowl. Dip each chicken roll in butter or margarine, then roll in crumbs, turning to coat thoroughly. Place coated rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for about 40 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and juices run clear. Serve with cordon bleu sauce, if desired.
• To Make Cordon Bleu Sauce: In a small saucepan mix together the soup, sour cream and lemon juice. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, and serve hot over chicken rolls. Makes about 2 cups; 8 servings of 1/4 cup each.

HAM & CHEDDAR STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Make 2-inch-long cut in one long side of each chicken breast to form pocket, being careful to not cut all the way though to opposite side; fill with 1 cheese slice and 1 ham slice. Press cut edges of pockets together to seal.
• Spread mustard over chicken. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.
• Bake 20 to 25 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF).