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Pesto-stuffed chicken with red pepper purée

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Try using Saclà Classic Basil Pesto as a stuffing for a speck-wrapped chicken breast. Mixed with stracciatella for a herby, rich and creamy filling, the chicken is then served with a sweet, roasted red pepper purée and fresh rocket and basil.

Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

RED PEPPER PURÉE

CHICKEN

Method

1

Preheat the oven to 220°C

2

Prick the peppers and rub with a little olive oil and salt. Roast the peppers whole for 30 minutes until tender (or you can do this under a hot grill. It will take around 15 minutes, turning occasionally)

  • 2 red peppers
  • 50ml of olive oil, plus extra for rubbing and serving
3

Transfer the peppers to a heatproof bowl. Cover with a plate and set aside to steam (this helps to peel the peppers later)

4

Reduce the oven to 180°C

5

As the peppers cook, prepare the chicken. To make the pesto filling, mix together the stracciatella and pesto until combined. Cut a small pocket into each chicken breast and fill the pockets with the stracciatella and pesto mixture

6

Wrap the stuffed chicken with the speck, overlapping the speck so the chicken is completely covered. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with baking paper and bake for 12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through

7

As the chicken cooks, make the red pepper purée. Peel the peppers and place in a small blender or food processor, discarding the skin, seeds and stalk. Blend with the garlic, olive oil and a pinch of salt until you've achieved a smooth purée consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed

8

Pour the purée onto a serving platter and top with the rocket and chicken breasts. Garnish with sliced basil, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of black pepper and serve

Vito is a professional dancer and the winner of Celebrity MasterChef 2024.

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