I have made this easy stuffed chicken time and time again because it comes out so well, makes great leftovers and has a nice surprising spicy and sweet twist. For a non-spicy version, simply omit the red pepper flakes and make sure to check your pantry before you shop. The dried fruit used in this recipe can be mixed and matched and many of us already have a good quantity in our cupboards!
Ingredients
1 tsp olive oil
4 large chicken breasts, butterflied
1 tsp salt and pepper, to taste, divided
4 cups dried fruit mixture (use apricot, raisins, cherries, figs or any dried fruit you have on hand)
1 pinch red pepper flakes *optional, only for those that can eat night shades
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
Prepare dried fruit mixture: Bring 1 quart water to a boil and pour over dried fruit in a large bowl. Rehydrate fruit for 15 minutes, or until it has softened.
Remove fruit from bowl, reserving 1 cup whole fruit for garnish and making sure not to drain liquid just yet.
Add fruit to a blender or food processor, process until slightly chunky then remove half of the mixture for Fruit Cake. To the remaining mixture, add half the salt + pepper and red pepper flakes, rosemary and garlic. Pulse to combine, adding extra soaking liquid as needed to help break down the fruit and create a paste. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 375 F.
Remove chicken breasts from package and using a sharp knife, cut a slit lengthwise down the middle, making sure not to cut all the way through. Open butterflied chicken breats and place in between two pieces of plastic. Using a rolling pin, pound out until 1/4" thin.
Add processed fruit and roll up, securing with toothpicks if needed.
Place in a baking dish and sprinkle chicken with remaining salt + pepper.
Bake in the oven for 30-45 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and a thermometer measures 160 F.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
Serve with reserved whole fruit on top as a garnish and spoon residual juices over the chicken.
Slice thinly to reveal pinwheel design for effect!