Ricotta-And-Herb-Stuffed Chicken
Serves: 6
Santiago Howell
1 January 1970
Based on User reviews:
41
Spice
52
Sweetness
52
Sourness
41
mins
Prep time (avg)
4.3
Difficulty
Ingredients:
Directions:
1
Cut a 1/2-inch slit on each side of chicken in center of triangle of skin between thigh and breast (near drumstick), then tuck knob of each drumstick thourough slit
2
Sprinkle each chicken with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and spread chickens flat, skin sides up, in an oiled large (17- by 12-inch) shallow baking pan
3
Gently slide your finger between skin and flesh of breast and legs of 1 chicken to loosen skin (be careful not to tear skin)
4
Using a small spoon, slide 2/3 cup ricotta mixture under skin, using a finger on outside of skin to spread filling over meat of breast, thighs, and drumsticks
5
Tuck wing tips under
6
Stuff second chicken in same manner
7
Brush skin of chickens all over with oil (2 tablespoons) and sprinkle each with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper
8
Spoon remaining filling into an oiled 1-quart shallow baking dish (10 by 7 inches)
9
Bake chickens in middle of oven 30 minutes, then put dish of stuffing in oven on lower rack
10
Continue baking until chicken is just cooked thourough and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of a thigh (through stuffing; do not touch bone) registers 170°F and until gratin is puffed and golden, about 30 minutes more
11
Let chickens stand 10 minutes, then cut each into quarters
12
Serve with gratin
13
Make filling: Preheat oven to 400°F with racks in middle and lower third
14
Cook garlic in oil in a small heavy skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, 2 to 3 minutes
15
Transfer to a bowl and stir in ricotta, eggs, parmesan, herbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper
16
Preheat oven to 400°F with racks in middle and lower third
17
Cook garlic in oil in a small heavy skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, 2 to 3 minutes
18
Transfer to a bowl and stir in ricotta, eggs, parmesan, herbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper
19
Stuff and roast chickens: Cut out backbones from chickens with kitchen shears (freeze bones for making stock if desired)
20
Pat chickens dry, then spread flat, skin sides up, on a cutting board
21
Cut a 1/2-inch slit on each side of chicken in center of triangle of skin between thigh and breast (near drumstick), then tuck knob of each drumstick thourough slit
22
Sprinkle each chicken with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and spread chickens flat, skin sides up, in an oiled large (17- by 12-inch) shallow baking pan
23
Gently slide your finger between skin and flesh of breast and legs of 1 chicken to loosen skin (be careful not to tear skin)
24
Using a small spoon, slide 2/3 cup ricotta mixture under skin, using a finger on outside of skin to spread filling over meat of breast, thighs, and drumsticks
25
Tuck wing tips under
26
Stuff second chicken in same manner
27
Brush skin of chickens all over with oil (2 tablespoons) and sprinkle each with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper
28
Spoon remaining filling into an oiled 1-quart shallow baking dish (10 by 7 inches)
29
Bake chickens in middle of oven 30 minutes, then put dish of stuffing in oven on lower rack
30
Continue baking until chicken is just cooked thourough and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of a thigh (through stuffing; do not touch bone) registers 170°F and until gratin is puffed and golden, about 30 minutes more
31
Let chickens stand 10 minutes, then cut each into quarters
32
Serve with gratin
33
Cut out backbones from chickens with kitchen shears (freeze bones for making stock if desired)
34
Pat chickens dry, then spread flat, skin sides up, on a cutting board