Hot Date With A Chicken

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 1/4 cup dates, pitted and chopped
• 1 small apple - peeled, cored, and chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped dried apricots
• 2 tablespoons raisins
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
• 2 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 55 mins


• preheat an oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c).
• combine the dates, apple, apricots, raisins, orange zest, and orange juice in a small bowl. season with cayenne pepper, cardamom, and mace; mix well.
• 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.
• 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).