My Galina

Delicious Chicken Recipe with Chestnuts and Cocktail Cherries

Total preparation time: 2 hours
Number of servings: 4
Complexity: Medium

I propose a recipe that combines tradition with sophisticated flavors, perfect for festive meals or simply for a special dinner. Chicken with chestnuts and cocktail cherries is an excellent choice to impress guests or to pamper your family with a meal full of flavor. This recipe can bring a touch of warmth and comfort to cool evenings, and the combination of ingredients will delight your taste buds.

Necessary ingredients:

- 1 chicken (or grill chicken, preferably a Cornish hen for a tender texture)
- 1 sweet potato (yam)
- 10 edible chestnuts
- 1 small jar of pitted cocktail cherries
- 5 tablespoons of cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of mustard
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Herbs (thyme, chives, bay leaves, garlic, tarragon) or 1 packet of Kotany Provence chicken spices
- 1 cube of butter
- Green bean pods from Bonduelle
- 1 large white onion
- 1 garlic clove

Preparation of ingredients:

1. Chicken: Choose a fresh chicken or grill chicken, preferably from a breed with more tender meat, such as Cornish hen. This will provide a better texture and intense flavor. If you don't have access to such a chicken, a regular grill chicken will do wonders.

2. Sweet potato: Sweet potato (yam) is not only delicious but also full of nutrients. It is an excellent source of fiber and vitamins, perfect for a healthy meal.

3. Chestnuts: Make sure to use edible chestnuts. They are delicious and add a touch of sweetness. If you don't have fresh chestnuts, you can use canned ones.

4. Herbs: Provence herbs are an excellent choice, but you can experiment with various fresh or dried herbs. They will give an intense flavor to your dish.

Step by step:

1. Boiling the chicken: Start by boiling the chicken in a large pot filled with salted water. Make sure the water completely covers the chicken. Boil for about 45 minutes, until the meat is well cooked.

2. Preheating the oven: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200°C. This temperature will help achieve perfect browning of the chicken.

3. Preparing the spice mixture: In a small bowl, mix the herbs (or Provence spices) with a little olive oil. Use this mixture to rub the chicken, making sure it is well coated with delicious flavors.

4. Arranging ingredients in the tray: Prepare a baking tray by placing the chicken in the center. Around the chicken, add the boiled chestnuts (some peeled, others not), cocktail cherries, onion rings, a crushed garlic clove, and pieces of sweet potato cut into various shapes (triangles, squares, quarters).

5. Baking: After arranging all the ingredients, place the tray in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken becomes golden and crispy. During baking, use a spoon to pour sauce from the tray over the chicken to keep the meat moist and full of flavor.

6. Preparing the green bean pods: In another tray, add the green bean pods. Steam them until they become tender, then coat them in flour, melted butter, salt, white pepper, and breadcrumbs. Bake them in the oven on parchment paper until they become crispy, at the same time as the chicken.

7. Preparing the onion rings: Cut the onion into large rings, carefully separating the rings. Coat them in flour, honey, and breadcrumbs, then bake until they become golden and crispy, alongside the green beans.

8. Serving: Once the chicken is baked and flavorful, place it on a large platter. Add the fried green beans, roasted chestnuts, cocktail cherries, and crispy onion rings. This presentation will not only impress but will also bring a vibrant mix of colors to the plate.

Practical tips:

- Vegetarian option: You can replace the chicken with a marinated tofu dish for a vegetarian option, keeping the rest of the ingredients.

- Serving: This dish pairs perfectly with a dry white wine or fresh lemonade. Additionally, a green salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar can complement the meal.

- Preserving flavors: If you have time, let the chicken marinate in the spice mixture for a few hours before cooking. This will intensify the flavors.

Nutritional benefits: This recipe is rich in protein due to the chicken meat, while the chestnuts provide healthy carbohydrates and fiber. The sweet potato is an excellent source of vitamins, especially vitamin A, which is important for eye health.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can I use another type of meat? Absolutely! The recipe can be adapted using turkey or even pork.

- What can I do with leftovers? Remaining meat can be used in salads, soups, or sandwiches, bringing a touch of flavor to every meal.

Regardless of the occasion, the chicken with chestnuts and cocktail cherries recipe is an excellent choice, full of flavors and colors. I invite you to enjoy every step of cooking and savor the final result, which will surely bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: - a young hen (or a grill chicken if you can't find a hen, but the English Cornish hen is better for my recipe, it tenderizes better, has a more reddish color, and less fatty skin, I've seen in the recipes of the wonderful Jamie Oliver) - 1 sweet potato (used by Americans for mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving alongside turkey); - 10 edible chestnuts; - 1 small jar of pitted cocktail cherries; - 5 tablespoons of cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil; - 2 tablespoons of mustard, 1 tablespoon of honey, 4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs, salt, pepper; - herbs (thyme, chives, bay leaves, garlic, tarragon) or 1 packet of Provence chicken seasoning from Kotany; - a cube of butter; - green bean pods from Bonduelle; - 1 large white onion; - 1 clove of garlic;