Chicken Scarborough Fair
Description:
In a culinary tribute to the classic song “Scarborough Fair,” this recipe elevates ordinary chicken into a symphony of flavors with parsley, sage, and rosemary (but no thyme!). Inspired by the need to impress guests on special occasions, this dish delivers elegance and taste in every bite, earning rave reviews from all who try it.
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Prep Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Recipe Category: Chicken
Keywords: Poultry, Meat, European, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours, Easy, Inexpensive
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 660.1
- Fat Content: 26.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 11.2g
- Cholesterol Content: 128.8mg
- Sodium Content: 592.5mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 16.7g
- Fiber Content: 0.8g
- Sugar Content: 6.9g
- Protein Content: 34.5g
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken breasts | 4 |
| Buttermilk | 2 cups |
| Butter | 1/4 cup |
| Onions | 2 |
| Garlic | 4 cloves |
| Bacon | 4 slices |
| Salt | To taste |
| Pepper | To taste |
| Marsala wine | 1 cup |
| Sherry wine | 1 cup |
| Flour | 1 cup |
| Italian parsley | 1 bunch |
| Dried sage | 1 tbsp |
| Dried rosemary | 1 tbsp |
| Philadelphia Cream Cheese | 1 package |
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken: Start by using whole chicken breasts, with the back removed and split lengthwise at the breastbone, ensuring 1/2 breast per person. Remove the skin and season each piece with salt and pepper. Place them in a large bowl and tenderize by soaking in 2 cups of buttermilk for about an hour.
-
Prepare the Skillet: In a black iron skillet over medium heat, melt 1/2 stick of butter. Add chopped onions, minced garlic, and sliced bacon, cooking until the onions turn translucent, which should take around 7 minutes. Remove the mixture from the pan and set aside.
-
Brown the Chicken: In the same skillet, place the buttermilk-coated chicken pieces to quickly sear and develop a golden brown color. Repeat this process with the remaining chicken pieces. Cook until each piece achieves a beautiful golden hue, approximately 5 minutes per side. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
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Prepare the Sauce: Deglaze the skillet by adding sherry wine, stirring to incorporate the flavorful brown bits from the chicken. Let it cook for 5 minutes to evaporate the alcohol. Then, add back the onion mixture along with chopped Italian parsley, dried sage, and dried rosemary. Stir in the Philadelphia Cream Cheese until smooth. In a separate bowl, dissolve flour in 1/4 cup of water, then add it to the sauce. Cook until the sauce slightly thickens, adjusting salt and pepper to taste.
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Assemble and Bake: Arrange the browned chicken pieces in a 16″ roasting dish and pour the prepared sauce over them. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 350Β°F oven for 20 minutes.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, serve the Chicken Scarborough Fair with the rich and flavorful sauce over rice for a truly delightful dining experience. For variation, consider substituting wine or sherry with apple or orange juice, or adding slivered almonds or mushrooms to diversify the dish.
This recipe promises to transform ordinary chicken into a masterpiece of flavor, perfect for impressing guests or simply enjoying a special meal at home. Give it a try and let the symphony of herbs and spices enchant your taste buds! ππΏβ¨
