Chicken En Croute is a chicken dish made with boneless chicken breast halves, seasoned with salt and pepper, and wrapped in puff pastry with a creamy chimichurri and cream cheese filling. This British dish, perfect for dinner, lunch, or as a main course, takes about 45 minutes to prepare and serves 4 people.
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Why You’ll Love This Chicken En Croute Recipe
- Flaky and Crispy Crust: Chicken En Croute is a dish where chicken is wrapped in puff pastry. The pastry crust turns golden brown and develops a light, flaky texture when baked.
- Family-Friendly: Chicken En Croute is often enjoyed by people of all ages. The combination of chicken and pastry is generally appealing to kids, and it can be a fun way to introduce different flavors and ingredients to them.
- Impressive Leftovers: If you have any leftovers from the Chicken En Croute, they can be just as enjoyable the next day. The flavors tend to meld together even more, and the reheated pastry retains its texture, making it a delicious option for lunch or dinner.
- Special Occasions: Chicken en croute is often associated with special occasions and celebrations. Whether it’s a holiday gathering, a birthday dinner, or an anniversary, serving chicken en croute can elevate the meal and make the occasion feel more festive and memorable.
What Is Chicken En Croute Recipe?
Chicken en croute is a dish where boneless chicken breasts are wrapped in puff pastry and baked until golden brown. The chicken is usually seasoned, sautéed, and then wrapped in a mixture of cream cheese and chimichurri sauce before being encased in the pastry. It’s a delicious and elegant way to serve chicken.
Chicken En Croute Recipe Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breast halves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons chimichurri sauce
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 large egg
How To Make Chicken En Croute Recipe
- Add a lot of salt and pepper to the chicken breasts.
- In a pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Cook the chicken breasts in the butter until both sides have a light brown color. Let the chicken chill for 20 minutes.
- Mix the chimichurri sauce into the cream cheese until it is well blended.
- Roll out the dough sheet to a 14-inch square on a floured surface. Divide the dough into four 7-inch pieces.
- Set the oven temperature to 400 F.
- In the middle of each dough sheet, put 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture. Place a chicken breast in the middle of each square, right on top of the cheese.
- Put beaten egg around the edges of the pastry pieces. Fold the corners up over the chicken to completely seal the edges.
- Place the chicken breasts, skin side down, on a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the dough is golden brown. Wait 5 minutes for it to cool down before serving
Tips Recipe
Here are some tips to enhance your Chicken En Croute :
- Thaw the puff pastry properly: Make sure to follow the instructions on the puff pastry package for thawing. Typically, puff pastry needs to be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours before use.
- Pound the chicken breasts: To ensure even cooking and to create a uniform thickness, you can pound the chicken breasts lightly with a meat mallet or the back of a heavy pan.
- Chill the chicken breasts: After sautéing the chicken breasts, chilling them in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before assembling will make it easier to handle and wrap them in the puff pastry.
What To Serve With Chicken En Croute?
When serving Chicken En Croute, you have a variety of delicious side dishes to choose from. Cavolo Nero Kale, Honey Glazed Carrots, Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese, French Peas with Bacon, Potatoes Dauphinoise, Chateau Potatoes, Potatoes Parisienne, and Fondant Potatoes all make excellent accompaniments to enhance your meal.
For more side dish ideas check this collection What To Serve With Chicken En Croute.
How To Store Chicken En Croute?
- In the fridge, transfer the chicken en croute to an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- In the freezer: If you have leftovers Chicken En Crouteo you can freeze them in a freezer-safe container it can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How To Reheat Chicken En Croute?
- In the oven: Place the Chicken En Croute on a baking sheet and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Reheat for about 15-20 minutes
- In the Air-fryer: Place the leftovers Chicken En Croute in the air fryer basket and reheat for about 5-8 minutes or until heated through and the pastry becomes crispy.
Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead Of Chicken Breasts In Chicken En Croute?
Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts in this recipe. However, keep in mind that chicken thighs may take longer to cook than chicken breasts, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Can I Make This Chicken En Croute Without Eggs?
Yes, you can make this recipe without eggs. Instead of using an egg wash to seal the pastry, you can use a little bit of milk or cream to help the pastry stick together.
How Can I Make Chicken En Croute Crispy?
To make the chicken en croute crispy, make sure to brush the pastry with the egg wash or milk/cream before baking.
How Can I Make Chicken En Croute Without Chimichurri Sauce?
Yes you can make chicken en croute without chimichurri sauce , you can substitute it with another type of sauce or seasoning. For example, you can use pesto, hollandaise, or a simple mixture of herbs and spices to flavor the cream cheese filling.
Chicken En Croute Recipe Nutrition Fact
- Calories 425
- Saturated Fat 23g
- Trans Fat 1g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 12g
- Monounsaturated Fat 44g
- Cholesterol 225mg
- Sodium 1189mg
- Potassium 1314mg
- Carbohydrates 88g
- Fiber 4g
- Sugar 6g
- Protein 71g
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Chicken En Croute Recipe
Description
Chicken En Croute is a chicken dish made with boneless chicken breast halves, seasoned with salt and pepper, and wrapped in puff pastry with a creamy chimichurri and cream cheese filling. This British dish, perfect for dinner, lunch, or as a main course, takes about 45 minutes to prepare and serves 4 people.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add a lot of salt and pepper to the chicken breasts.
- In a pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Cook the chicken breasts in the butter until both sides have a light brown color. Let the chicken chill for 20 minutes.
- Mix the chimichurri sauce into the cream cheese until it is well blended.
- Roll out the dough sheet to a 14-inch square on a floured surface. Divide the dough into four 7-inch pieces.
- Set the oven temperature to 400 F.
- In the middle of each dough sheet, put 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture. Place a chicken breast in the middle of each square, right on top of the cheese.
- Put beaten egg around the edges of the pastry pieces. Fold the corners up over the chicken to completely seal the edges.
- Place the chicken breasts, skin side down, on a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the dough is golden brown. Wait 5 minutes for it to cool down before serving
Notes
- Thaw the puff pastry properly: Make sure to follow the instructions on the puff pastry package for thawing. Typically, puff pastry needs to be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours before use.
- Pound the chicken breasts: To ensure even cooking and to create a uniform thickness, you can pound the chicken breasts lightly with a meat mallet or the back of a heavy pan.
- Chill the chicken breasts: After sautéing the chicken breasts, chilling them in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before assembling will make it easier to handle and wrap them in the puff pastry.