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Thanksgiving Stuffed Chicken

17/11/2023

Although traditionally turkey is the star of Thanksgiving Day, stuffed chicken can be a valid alternative. Here’s a recipe with Italian touches to prepare a delicious stuffed chicken.

Ingredients

For the chicken:

  • 1 whole chicken of approximately 1.5 - 2 kg
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs
  • 1 lemon

For the stuffing:

  • 150 g of diced bacon
  • 1 finely chopped onion
  • 2 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 2 chopped carrots
  • 200 g of stale bread, cut into cubes
  • 100 g grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 100 ml of chicken broth
  • 1 bunch of chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon of chopped sage
  • Grated nutmeg to taste

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  2. In a pan, sauté the bacon until it becomes crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside.
  3. In the same bacon fat, fry the onion, celery, and carrot until soft.
  4. Place the stale bread in a large bowl. Add the sautéed vegetables, Parmesan, parsley, sage, and crispy bacon.
  5. In a small bowl, beat the eggs with the broth and pour over the bread and vegetable mixture. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir until the mixture is well combined.
  6. Clean the chicken by removing any residues and pat it dry with kitchen paper. Rub the outside with oil, salt, pepper, and the garlic cloves. Add the rosemary and thyme sprigs and the halved lemon inside the chicken.
  7. Fill it with the prepared stuffing, not too tightly to leave room for the juices.
  8. Tie the chicken legs together and place it in a baking dish.
  9. Bake in the oven for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 75 °C and the skin is golden and crispy.
  10. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Curiosity

Although of American origin, the concept of stuffing is widely used in Italian cuisine, especially during festive occasions. In Italy, stuffing can include various regional ingredients such as sausage, chestnuts, or even truffles, bringing a touch of locality to this celebratory dish.