“Chicken Stuffed with Asparagus” is a savory and elegant dish, perfect for a special occasion or a sophisticated weeknight dinner. The recipe begins with selecting high-quality chicken breasts, which are the canvas for this culinary creation. These breasts are carefully butterflied, a technique where the meat is sliced horizontally but not all the way through, allowing it to be opened like a book. This method creates a pocket in each breast, maximizing the area available for the flavorful stuffing.
The stuffing is a harmonious blend of blanched asparagus spears and a rich cheese mixture. The asparagus, known for its earthy yet delicate flavor and a slight hint of sweetness, is trimmed and briefly cooked in boiling water. This process, known as blanching, intensifies the green color and preserves the tender-crisp texture, ensuring the asparagus remains vibrant and slightly crunchy in the final dish.
The cheese mixture typically includes a soft, creamy cheese like ricotta or cream cheese, providing a smooth texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor. To this, grated Parmesan or a similar hard cheese is often added for its nutty and salty depth. The mixture is seasoned with herbs such as thyme or parsley, and sometimes garlic, to introduce aromatic notes. This cheese and herb blend not only complements the asparagus but also adds moisture and richness to the lean chicken.
Once stuffed, the chicken breasts are securely closed with toothpicks or kitchen twine, ensuring the filling remains intact during cooking. The exterior of the chicken is usually seasoned with salt, pepper, and sometimes a light brushing of olive oil or melted butter for extra flavor and to achieve a golden-brown crust.
The cooking method can vary, with baking and pan-frying being the most common. Baking is a gentler process, allowing the chicken to cook evenly and retain moisture, while pan-frying offers a quicker method that results in a more pronounced crust. Whichever method is chosen, the goal is to cook the chicken to perfection – juicy and tender on the inside with a well-cooked, slightly crisp exterior.
This dish is often served with a light sauce, such as a lemon butter sauce, which adds a bright, acidic contrast to the rich filling, or a creamy sauce to complement the luxurious nature of the stuffing. Side dishes typically include light, fresh salads, steamed vegetables, or a simple pasta, chosen to not overpower the star of the meal – the stuffed chicken breast.
In summary, Chicken Stuffed with Asparagus is a dish that balances textures and flavors – the tender, juicy chicken, the crisp, verdant asparagus, and the creamy, savory cheese, all coming together to create a meal that is as visually appealing as it is delicious. It’s a testament to the harmony that can be achieved in a dish when simple, high-quality ingredients are prepared with care and precision.
Ingredients :
°4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 454 g)
°1 tsp dry oregano
°1/2 tsp garlic powder
°Salt
°Freshly black pepper
°4 tranches mozzarella
°Zest 1 lemon
°Red pepper flake, to flavor
° 1 package of asparagus, hard ends removed
°2 tbsp extra-virgin-olive oil, for cooking
°Lemon-wedges, for serving
°1/4 cup (65 mL) grated Parmesan, for garnish
Preperation :
Preheat oven 400 ° F (200 ° C).
In bowl, toss-asparagus with 1 tbsp oil, lemon zest &; red pepper flake.
On cleaning work surface, placing chicken breasts &; seasoning them well with oregano, salt &; pepper.
Cut a slit in each chicken breast, without completely slicing the breasts, to create a pocket in the center of the chicken.
Then garnish each breast with mozzarella and asparagus. Closing breasts with toothpicks.
In oven skillet, heat rest tsp of olive oil on medium-high heat.
Adding chicken & cook to underside is golden, for 5 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook the other side until nicely browned as well, about 5 minutes more.
Transfering pan to oven & cooking to chicken is cook through, 10 to 15 min more.
Removing to oven & putting on plates. Squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the cooked chicken.
Garnish with Parmesan, then serve hot with your choice of sides.
Enjoy !
