Chicken & ricotta in wine is a delicious and elegant dish that combines tender chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy spinach and ricotta filling, wrapped in ham, and cooked in a flavorful wine sauce. This recipe serves 4 people and is perfect for a special dinner or entertaining guests. The chicken breasts are filled with a mixture of spinach, ricotta cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. They are then wrapped in slices of Parma ham to seal in the flavors and keep the chicken moist. The stuffed chicken breasts are browned in a pan before being baked in the oven. Meanwhile, shallots and mushrooms are sautéed and combined with flour, white wine, and chicken stock to create a rich and savory sauce. The chicken is then cooked in the oven with the sauce for a final touch of flavor. Serve this dish with your favorite side dishes for a memorable meal.
INGREDIENTS:
- 100g/4oz frozen spinach, thawed
- 100g/4oz ricotta cheese
- Pinch of grated nutmeg
- 4 skinless chicken breast fillets, about 175g/6oz each
- 4 Parma ham slices
- 25g/1oz butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 small shallots
- 100g/4oz button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon plain flour
- 150ml/5fl oz dry white wine
- 300ml/10fl oz chicken stock
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
PREPARATIONS:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6.
- Put the thawed spinach in a sieve and press out the excess water using a spoon. Mix the spinach with the ricotta cheese and grated nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper.
- Using a sharp knife, make a slit in each chicken breast and create a pocket. Fill each pocket with the spinach and ricotta mixture, then reshape the chicken breasts. Wrap each breast tightly in a slice of Parma ham and secure with cocktail sticks. Cover the chicken breasts and chill them in the refrigerator.
- Heat the butter and olive oil in a frying pan. Brown the chicken breasts for 2 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a large shallow ovenproof dish and keep warm.
- In the same pan, sauté the shallots and mushrooms for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. Stir in the flour, then gradually add the white wine and chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spoon the shallot and mushroom mixture around the chicken in the ovenproof dish.
- Cook the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, turn the chicken over and cook for an additional 10 minutes until cooked through.
- Remove the cocktail sticks from the chicken and serve the chicken with the sauce.
YIELD:
- This recipe serves 4 people.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
- Make sure to secure the ham-wrapped chicken breasts tightly with cocktail sticks to prevent them from unraveling during cooking.
- Adjust the seasoning of the sauce according to your taste preferences. You can add more salt and pepper if desired.
TIPS:
- Serve the chicken & ricotta in wine with steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- Garnish with fresh herbs, such as chopped parsley or chives, for added freshness and visual appeal.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of ham or cheese for variations in flavor.
Chicken & ricotta in wine is a delightful and flavorful dish that combines succulent chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy spinach and ricotta filling, wrapped in Parma ham, and cooked in a savory wine sauce. This recipe serves 4 people, making it ideal for a special dinner or entertaining guests.
The chicken breasts are filled with a mixture of thawed spinach, ricotta cheese, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. They are then wrapped in slices of Parma ham, which not only adds a delicious smoky flavor but also helps to keep the chicken moist during cooking. The stuffed chicken breasts are browned in a pan to give them a golden exterior before being transferred to an ovenproof dish.
In the same pan, shallots and mushrooms are sautéed and combined with flour, white wine, and chicken stock to create a flavorful sauce. The chicken breasts are placed in the dish with the sauce and cooked in the oven until tender and cooked through.
Serve the chicken & ricotta in wine hot, accompanied by your favorite side dishes. The combination of tender chicken, creamy filling, smoky ham, and savory wine sauce is sure to impress your guests and create a memorable dining experience.
Enjoy this delightful chicken & ricotta in wine recipe and savor the wonderful flavors it offers.
