Smoked Chicken Strudel

17/11/2023

The smoked chicken strudel is a dish that blends the influence of Central European cuisine typical of strudel with the bold flavor of smoked chicken. The recipe I propose will have that Italian twist that pairs well with the smoky taste. Let’s see how to prepare it.

Ingredients

1 rectangular roll of puff pastry
300 g of smoked chicken, cut into strips
1 mozzarella, chopped or diced
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard (or Italian mustard if you prefer)
2 tablespoons of spreadable cheese
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 egg, lightly beaten for brushing

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 180°C.
In a pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil and sauté the onion until it becomes translucent.
Add the smoked chicken to the pan and let it flavor with the onion for a few minutes.
In a bowl, mix the mustard and cheese to obtain a smooth cream.
Roll out the puff pastry and spread the mustard and cheese over the surface, leaving the edges free.
Distribute the smoked chicken with onion over the cream (make sure the chicken is not too hot, otherwise you risk melting the mozzarella too soon).
Sprinkle with the chopped mozzarella.
Roll the puff pastry on itself starting from the long side, sealing the edges well.
Brush the outside of the strudel with the beaten egg.
Make some diagonal cuts on the surface to allow moisture to escape during cooking.
Bake on a baking tray lined with parchment paper for about 25-30 minutes, or until the strudel is golden.

If you wish, you can add some rosemary or thyme to the chicken strips for a more pronounced aromatic touch. And for an all-Italian side dish, you can serve the strudel with a beautiful salad of red radicchio and toasted pine nuts.

Curiosity

Strudel is mainly associated with Austrian and Central European cuisine but is also very loved in Italy, especially in the border regions with Austria such as Trentino-Alto Adige, where it has taken on various variations, both sweet and savory.