Joy of Cooking: All About Chicken - Rilegato

6 to 8 servings

This recipe can be prepared using boned, split chicken breasts without the skin or with the skin still attached. The skin becomes brown and crisp and keeps the delicate meat moist.

Position a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Rinse and pat dry:

8 boneless chicken breast halves (about 3 pounds), with or without the skin

Trim any fat around the edges. If you wish, remove the white tendon running through the tenderloins. Place the chicken breasts 1 at a time between sheets of wax paper and gently pound with a mallet or the side of an empty bottle until about 3/8 inch thick. Season with:

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Heat in a small skillet over medium-high heat until the foam begins to subside:

2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Add and cook, stirring, until tender but not brown, about 5 minutes:

1/3 cup finely chopped onions

Stir in and cook for 30 seconds:

1 teaspoon minced garlic

Remove the mixture to a bowl and stir in:

2 cups dry unseasoned breadcrumbs

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley

½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled

½ teaspoon dried sage, crumbled

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Stir in:

1/3 to 2/3 cup Chicken Stock, 124

The stuffing should be just moist enough to hold together in a crumbly ball when squeezed firmly in the hand. Do not overmoisten. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

Lightly oil a 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Place ¼ cup stuffing on the center of the underside of each breast and press lightly to compact it. Bring the top and bottom flaps of the chicken up over the stuffing, slightly overlapping the ends, then fold up the sides to enclose the stuffing completely. Lay the packets seam side down in the pan and brush with:

Olive oil

Season with:

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Bake until the chicken is lightly browned and feels firm when pressed, 20 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Copyright © 2000 by Simon & Schuster Inc., The Joy of Cooking Trust and The MRB Revocable Trust