Apricot And Bacon Stuffed Chicken Thighs Food

APRICOT AND BACON STUFFED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Soak dried apricots in a cup of warm water for 10-15 minutes, and then chop them.
• To create stuffing, combine apricots, bacon, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, sage, and parsley flakes in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
• Mix black pepper and salt in a small bowl and set side.
• Place a chicken thigh, skin side down (where the skin would be), on a cutting board and cover with a piece of wax or parchment paper; pound with a meat mallet or a heavy skillet to flatten the thigh. Place the flatten thigh on a clean plate and set aside. Repeat with each thigh.
• Lay a flattened thigh on a cutting board skin side down, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper mixture. Spread about 2 tbsp of stuffing on the thigh and press down with your fingers. Carefully roll the thigh and secure the roll with a toothpick. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat with all thighs. Use the leftover stuffing to sprinkle on the top of the stuffed thighs.
• Bake at 375°F for 40-45 minutes or until a thermometer inserted sideways registers 175°F.
• Remove the toothpicks and serve hot or cold.

BAKED APRICOT CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl combine the jam, dressing and soup mix. Mix together.
• Place chicken pieces in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour apricot mixture over chicken and bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes.

CHICKEN WITH APRICOT AND BACON

Steps:

• Cook pancetta in saucepan over medium high heat until fat is rendered and pancetta is done to your liking.
• Pour off all but 1 T grease. Add olive oil into the same pan.
• Cut each breast half in half. You will have 4 pieces of chicken. Season chicken with salt and pepper and place in hot pan. Sear 5 minutes on both sides. Remove chicken from pan.
• Add white wine to pan to deglaze. Scrape up bits off the bottom off pan. Stir in chicken broth.
• Add apricot and chicken with any juices. Cover and simmer until liquid is reduced by half, apricots are plump and chicken is done, about 10 minutes.
• Place chicken on plate, top with pancetta and apricots, pour sauce over all.

APRICOT CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Combine all but chicken and dried apricots.
• Mix well, set aside.
• Trim excess fat from chicken.
• Rinse chicken with cold water, pat dry.
• Place chicken in a 12 x 8 x 2" baking dish.
• Pour reserved apricot nectar mixture over chicken.
• Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
• Uncover, and place aproicot halves in apricot nectar mixture.
• Continue baking, uncovered, 15 minutes or until chicken is tender.
• Remove chicken to a warmed serving platter, discarding apricot nectar mixture.
• Garnish each thigh with 2 apricot halves.
• Serve immediately.

BACON AND CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, cut a pocket into the thickest side of each chicken breast. Stuff each half with 1/4 of the bacon and a piece of cheese. Seal with a toothpick.
• Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper and paprika.
• Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 4 minutes per side, until browned.
• Reduce hea t to medium-low; cover and cook 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
• Remove from skillet and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
• Stir cornstarch into chicken broth with a fork until dissolved.
• Add to skillet and bring to a boil, scrapping up browned bits on bottom of skillet. Cook 3 minutes, until sauce is thickened.
• Add chopped parsley.
• To serve, spoon over chicken.

CHICKEN THIGHS WITH APRICOTS

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag set in a shallow dish. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of Nectar, 2 Tablespoons of preserves, 2 Tablespoons mint, 1 Tablespoon of oil, vinegar, curry powder and garlic. Pour over chicken; seal bag. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
• Using a gas grill, preheat grill, reduce heat to minimum, place chicken on grill. Grill, covered, 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (180 degrees F), turning once halfway through grilling. Add apricots to grill, cut side down, during last 5 minutes of grilling or until lightly browned.
• For sauce: In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup apricot nectar, 4 Tablespoons preserves, 2 Tablespoons mint, 1 teaspoon olive oil, the green onions, 3 Tablespoons pistachios, the mustard, mustard seeds and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Drizzle sauce over chicken and apricots. Sprinkle with remaining nuts.