Hot Date with a Chicken

A date, apricot, and cayenne pepper stuffing fills these baked chicken breasts.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 447 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons raisins
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¼ teaspoon ground mace
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 small apple - peeled, cored, and chopped
• ¼ cup dates, pitted and chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped dried apricots

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Combine the dates, apple, apricots, raisins, orange zest, and orange juice in a small bowl. Season with cayenne pepper, cardamom, and mace; mix well.

Step 3

Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound the chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Mound the fruit filling on the flattened breasts and roll up, tucking in the ends. Secure the chicken with toothpicks.

Step 4

Heat the vegetable oil in an oven proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts, and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Place in the preheated oven, and continue cooking the chicken breasts until the filling is hot and the juices run clear, 20 to 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).