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Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes |
Ready In: 60 Minutes Servings: 6 |
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A former housemate requested this recipe after I'd moved away. I usually do this with Apricot preserves (Polaner All-Fruit works very well) but it can be done with reconstituted dried fruits, or any reasonably fruity-tart preserve. Orange Marmalade would be very tasty as well... Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, spread open and laid flattish (butterfly them if you're feeling especially time-rich) |
4 tablespoons butter |
1/2 cup apricot preserves, approx 1/3 jar (or 1/2 cup reconstituted dried fruits, soaked in water or juice, your choice) |
12 ounces chicken flavor stuffing mix, i.e. 2 packages, to be prepared per package directions |
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F
2. In a saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. When the butter is melted, add most of the preserves (or the dried fruit) reserving about 2 tablespoons for later.
3. Stir the preserves/fruit into the melted butter until it's well blended. Lay the chicken breasts flat into a 9x13 Pyrex pan. Spread the preserve&butter mixture over the chicken, coating the top surface well, let it slide down about the chicken if it goes that way. Dot the chicken with the leftover butter, and place the pan into the oven.
4. Cook for 30 minutes (20 if you decided to butterfly) At the timer buzz, check the chicken. Chicken should be mostly cooked, but not yet done; the edges will appear crisp , but the liquids may not be completely clear. Set the timer for another 15-20, depending on how done the chicken looks and start making your stuffing/dressing according to the package instructions; it should be wet not dry.
5. At about 5 - 10 minutes before the chicken is done (which will be about as the stuffing is ready to set for a while) pull the pan out of the oven. Pick up the cooked chicken (I usually pile it all on one side of the pan, no need to dirty an additional plate), and stir the juices and the butter/preserve mixture together in the pan. Gently layer the stuffing into the bottom of the pan, and lay the chicken back on top of the stuffing. Sprinkle the reserved preserves (or reconstituted fruit) on top of the stuffing and put the pan back into the oven.
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