Recipe: Rolled chicken with apricot and pistachio stuffing

Rolled chicken with apricot and pistachio stuffing. Picture / Babiche Martens.

ROLLED CHICKEN WITH APRICOT AND PISTACHIO STUFFING

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• ½ cup pistachios, roughly chopped
• ½ cup dried apricots, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• 2 tsp thyme leaves
• Zest of ½ lemon
• 1 ½ cups fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 boned chicken
• Oil for drizzling

1. Preheat and oven to 170C.

2. Heat the oil in a frying pan to a medium heat. Add the onions and garlic. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes until softened and slightly brown.

3. In a large bowl combine the onion mix, pistachios, apricots, parsley, thyme, zest, breadcrumbs, eggs, salt and pepper. Mix until well combined.

4. On to a piece of baking paper lie the chicken out flat. If there are any holes, slice the meat and move to fill them. Spread the stuffing out over the chicken. Using the paper roll the chicken tightly. Tie the roll together tightly with string. Lift the paper and chicken and place into an oven-proof baking dish.

5. Season the top with salt and pepper and drizzle over a little oil. Cook for 1¼-½ hour or until the juices run clear. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes before carving into thin slices.

- VIVA