Mediterranean Puff Pastry Chicken Recipes

CHICKEN IN PUFF PASTRY WITH MADEIRA SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Place chicken breasts on baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
• Broil until almost cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
• Chill until cool, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375^F.
• In a large nonstick saucepan, saute spinach over medium heat until just wilted, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer to a bowl.
• In the same skillet, melt butter over medium high heat and add shallots.
• Saute until tender, about 3 minutes.
• Add all of the mushrooms and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes.
• Add wine and tarragon and simmer until almost all of the liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes.
• Season and cool.
• Oil a large heavy baking sheet.
• Roll out each sheet of puff pastry to 12 inch squares.
• Cut each square in half crosswise to form four 12x6 inch rectangles.
• (If the chicken breasts are large, either cut to fit the pastry or roll out the pastry into larger squares.) Place chicken breasts crosswise at the short end of the rectangle.
• Spoon the spinach on top of chicken.
• Spoon mushroom mixture on top of spinach.
• Fold long sides of rectangle over chicken and roll up jellyroll style.
• Pinch edges to seal.
• Brush pinched edges with beaten egg.
• Place pastries seam side down on prepared baking sheet.
• Brush with beaten egg.
• Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Place on plates and spoon sauce over.
• For the Madeira Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium high heat.
• Add minced shallots and saute until golden, about 3 minutes.
• Add both broths and the 1/2 cup Madeira.
• Boil until reduced to sauce consistency, about 15 minutes.
• Strain into small saucepan and add additional tablespoon of Madeira.
• Season.
• The sauce can be prepared well in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator.

CHICKEN IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry into a 14-in. square. Cut into four squares. , Spoon 2 tablespoons cream cheese into the center of each square; top with Muenster cheese and chicken., Whisk egg and water; lightly brush over edges. Bring opposite corners of pastry over each bundle; pinch seams to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet; brush with remaining egg mixture. , Bake at 400° for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

CHICKEN IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 430 degrees F.
• Combine cheese, basil, garlic, salt and pepper in processor until smooth and basil is finely chopped.
• Unfold both pieces of pastry carefully.
• Roll out on lightly-floured surface to 14 x 10 inch rectangle about 1/8 inch thick.
• Cut in half crosswise into 7 x 10 inch rectangle; repeat with second sheet of pastry.
• Spread ¼ of cheese mixture lengthwise, in approximate size of chicken breast, across center of each rectangle.
• Place chicken breast over, skinned side down.
• Lift long sides of pastry to meet in center over top of chicken; pinch overlap and short ends to enclose chicken snuggly.
• Trim away excess pastry leaving pinched overlap.
• Arrange seam side down, 2 inches apart, on a greased baking sheet; brush generously with beaten egg.
• Bake until puffed and golden and chicken is cooked through, 18-22 minutes.
• Note: Using Boursin Cheese in this recipe in place of the cream cheese is very nice, too.

CHICKEN-FILLED PASTRY (B'STEEYA)

Steps:

• To prepare the filling:
• 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• 2. In a heavy-bottom large stockpot over medium-high heat, add the oil. Season the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper. Working in batches, add the chicken to the hot oil and brown on both sides, 5 to 6 minutes total. Remove the browned chicken to a plate and reserve.
• 3. To the same pot add the onion, garlic, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, cloves, and saffron, and sauté them until they are soft and lightly golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Add 2 cups of chicken stock to the pot and scrape up any brown pieces sticking to the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken back into the pot with any juices, and add more stock as needed to bring the liquids up to the chicken without submerging it. Bring the liquids to a boil. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place in the oven until the chicken is cooked through and very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• 4. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it to a plate and let it cool. Shred the cooled chicken into small, bite-size pieces. Reserve for assembly.
• 5. Place the pot of braising liquid over medium heat and reduce the liquids to about 1 cup. Add the butter, brown sugar, parsley, cilantro, and eggs to the pot and cook, stirring constantly, until the eggs are scrambled. Remove from the heat and reserve for assembly.
• To assemble the b'steeya:
• 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush a paella pan or skillet lightly with olive oil.
• 2. Lay out, one by one, 10 sheets of phyllo dough onto the pan, brushing each with a little olive oil before placing the next layer on.
• 3. Spread the shredded chicken in a layer in the center of the phyllo, leaving plenty of space for the edges to fold up. Spread the egg mixture over the chicken and top with the almonds.
• 4. Fold the overhanging phyllo dough over the filling to enclose it in a pocket inside the skillet. Brush the top lightly with olive oil and bake until the pastry is crisp and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
• 5. Garnish the finished b'steeya with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Cut into wedges and serve warm.