Stuffed chicken

Stuffed hen: a traditional and tasty treat, perfect for festive meals or special occasions. This recipe will not only fill your kitchen with mouth-watering flavors, but will also bring a touch of nostalgia of the dishes your grandparents used to cook with love. I invite you to discover step by step how to prepare the perfect stuffed chicken that will impress any guest.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 2 hours (for a 2 kg hen)
Total: 2 hours 30 minutes
Number of servings: 6-8

Ingredients

- 1 hen (about 2 kg)
- 1 onion
- 2-3 tablespoons oil
- 100 g chicken liver, diced
- 100 g sliced mushrooms
- 2 slices bread, diced
- 1 cup soup (chicken or vegetable)
- 3 eggs
- Salt, pepper, spices to taste (juniper, mint, thyme)
- 50 g butter

Preparation

1. Chicken preparation: Start by cleaning and washing the chicken thoroughly. Use cold water and make sure that no feathers or traces of impurities remain. After washing, wipe the hen with a paper towel and rub with salt, pepper and your favorite spices. Opt for juniper for a more exotic touch, or thyme for a classic taste.

2. Preparing the stuffing: In a frying pan, add the oil and sauté the finely chopped onion over medium heat until golden brown and translucent. Then add the diced liver and sliced mushrooms and cook together for a few minutes, until the liver is cooked through and the mushrooms release their flavors. Once the mixture has cooled slightly, add the bread soaked in the soup, stirring well. This will give the stuffing a soft, moist texture.

3. Finishing the stuffing: Beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper, then fold them into the stuffing mixture. Make sure all the ingredients are well combined. The stuffing should be consistent, but not too moist, so it doesn't drip out of the hen during cooking.

4. Filling the hen: Carefully fill the hen with the prepared mixture. You can use a spoon to make sure the stuffing gets into all the nooks and crannies. Once the chicken is stuffed, sew the opening with kitchen string or pinch it tightly with toothpicks, making sure that the stuffing does not come out during cooking.

5. Preparing for the oven: Brush the outside of the hen with butter, sprinkle plenty of salt and pepper, giving it a delicious crust. Place the hen in a pan greased with a little oil or butter and cover lightly with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.

6. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and put the hen in the pan. If you have a 2 kg hen, leave it in the oven for about 2 hours. It's important to check from time to time, and in the last 20 minutes, remove the foil to allow the hen to brown nicely.

Serving suggestions

Once the chicken is done, let it rest for a few minutes before carving. You can serve it with simple garnishes such as mashed potatoes or a fresh salad. A butter sauce with flavored herbs will add a touch of elegance.

FAQs

1. Can I use another type of meat?
Of course! This recipe also works great with turkey or duck. But the cooking time will vary depending on the weight of the meat.

2. How can I make vegetarian stuffing?
For a vegetarian version, replace the liver and mushrooms with vegetables such as carrot, zucchini and lentils, mixed with herbs.

3. Is this recipe suitable for a holiday meal?
Absolutely! Stuffed hen is a classic dish for festive meals and is sure to impress your guests.

Nutritional benefits

Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, and stuffing with mushrooms and vegetables provides fiber and essential nutrients. Eggs contribute vitamins and spices add not only flavor but also antioxidant properties.

Personal note

Stuffed chicken is a dish that brings family and friends together. I fondly remember when I was a child, my grandmother would gather us all around the table and share stories as we enjoyed our meal. So I recommend you cook this recipe with love and share it with your loved ones, turning every meal into a celebration of love and tradition.

Remember to enjoy the cooking process and experiment with different spices and toppings. Stuffed hen is sure to become a favorite recipe in your family!

 Ingredients: a chicken, onion, 2-3 tablespoons of oil, 100g of liver cut into cubes, 100g of sliced mushrooms, 2 slices of bread cut into cubes, a cup of soup, 3 eggs, salt, pepper, spices to taste (allspice, mint, thyme...), 50g of butter