Smoked Chicken Cannelloni

Serves: 4

Citlalli Gibson

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

53

Spice

46

Sweetness

37

Sourness

38

mins

Prep time (avg)

3.9

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tbsp

Olive Oil

2 cloves

Garlic (minced)

3 cup

Heavy Cream

1 large

Egg

Directions:

1

Special equipment: 2 cups applewood chips, soaked in water overnight Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

2

For the chicken: Using kitchen shears, remove the backbone of the chicken and set aside in the refrigerator for another use (such as Smoked Chicken Minestrone)

3

Cut the chicken in half, straight through the breastbone

4

By separating the chicken into two pieces it will ensure that the chicken gets smoked more thoroughly

5

Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, the granulated garlic and smoked paprika

6

Place 1 deep aluminum roasting pan over the stove top

7

Line with aluminum foil

8

Add the soaked wood chips to a large piece of foil, and then fold in the sides to make a pouch

9

Punch holes in the top of the pouch, set it directly over a gas burner and turn on high

10

Leave for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully

11

Once it begins to smoke, using tongs, transfer the pouch to the bottom of the lined roasting pan

12

Set a wire rack over the chips in the lined roasting pan and position it so the wood chips are directly over the burner and continue to smoke

13

Place the chicken pieces bone-side down on the rack

14

Cover tightly with aluminum foil to seal in the smoke

15

Put the roasting pan into the oven and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 45 to 60 minutes

16

Remove and cool

17

Shred the smoked chicken breast and set aside 1 1/2 cups for the cannelloni (reserve the rest for another use)

18

Increase the oven to 375 degrees F

19

While the chicken is smoking, make the creamy roasted red pepper sauce: Bring the oil to medium heat in a large saucepot

20

Sweat the onions until translucent, about 3 minutes

21

Add the garlic and sweat until fragrant, about a minute

22

Stir in the peppers and tomatoes

23

Simmer for 5 minutes

24

Working in 2 cup batches, process the sauce on high in a blender until smooth

25

Return the sauce to the pot, reduce the heat to low and whisk in the cream

26

Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice

27

Season with salt and pepper

28

If making ahead, cool before refrigerating for up to a week

29

For the cannelloni: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, cream cheese, 1 cup of the Parmesan, the egg and nutmeg with a wooden spoon

30

Fold in the reserved shredded chicken, spinach, tomatoes and some salt and pepper

31

Spoon the filling into a medium pastry bag fitted with a large open tip

32

Spread 1/2 cup of the creamy roasted red pepper sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9- by 13-inch gratin dish

33

Pipe about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the filling into the cannelloni shells and place them into the gratin dish

34

Spoon the remaining sauce over the cannelloni

35

Sprinkle with the panko and remaining Parmesan

36

Cover and bake until the filling is cooked through, about 30 minutes

37

Bake uncovered until the top is golden and bubbling, an additional 5 to 7 minutes

38

Remove and cool on a resting rack

39

Garnish with Parmesan and serve