moon on a leash

RICOTTA, SPINACH AND HAM STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST MARSALA WITH PINE NUT PILAF

This dish also comes from Rachel Ray's Food Network page. Total hit at our last dinner party!

PREP TIME: 15 min     COOK TIME: 25 min    

READY IN: 40 min       SERVINGS: 4

INGREDIENTS

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• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

  4 tablespoons butter, divided

  1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced

  4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  3/4 cup fresh ricotta or sheep's milk ricotta

  1 box organic frozen spinach, defrosted, squeezed dry, and separated

  Freshly grated nutmeg

  4 slices speck or prosciutto

  Flour, for dredging

  2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

  1/2 cup marsala wine

  1 1/2 cups chicken broth

  A handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

  Pine Nut Pilaf, for serving, recipe follows
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• DIRECTIONS
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• 1. Cut 4 long pieces of kitchen twine.

  
  

  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add a liberal drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil plus 2 tablespoons butter and saute the mushrooms for 8 to10 minute to darken.

  
  

  3. Meanwhile, butterfly the chicken breasts open and pound them out very thin, no more than 1/8-inch thick. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and top each piece of chicken with 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese and spread it around. Top with 1/4 of the spinach and season with freshly grated nutmeg, salt and pepper. Then top each piece of chicken with a slice of speck. Roll the chicken into bundles and secure with twine. Season the bundles with salt and pepper and dredge lightly in flour.

  
  

  4. Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper and remove to a plate. Add extra-virgin olive oil to coat the pan. Add the chicken and cook over medium-high heat for 15 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and cover with foil. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan, sprinkle in 2 tablespoons flour, and deglaze the pan with marsala. Add the broth and cook to thicken, about 1 to 2 minutes, and then add the mushrooms to combine. Remove the string from the chicken and top with sauce. Serve with Pine Nut Pilaf.
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  PINE NUT PILAF
  
  
  2 tablespoons butter
  1/2 cup orzo pasta
  1/4 cup pine nuts
  1 cup long grain rice
  2 cups chicken stock
  
  
  1. Melt the butter in a saucepot over medium heat. Add the orzo and pine nuts and toast until golden. 
  
  
  2. Add the rice and stir in the stock. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to simmer, and cover. Cook for 18 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.
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• HAPPY EATING! :)