Relleno de Pollo Navideño
A rich and savory Christmas stuffing, traditionally made with shredded chicken and pork, bread, vegetables, and a medley of sweet and savory ingredients like raisins, olives, and capers. While often served as a side dish for roasted meats, it can also be a substantial dish on its own.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 Chicken breasts(boneless, skinless, boiled and shredded)
- 1 lb Pork loin(boiled and ground)
- 1 loaf White bread(stale, soaked in milk)
- 1 liter Milk
- 1.5 cups Butter
- 1 Onion(minced)
- 1 Bell pepper(chopped)
- 4 Garlic cloves(minced)
- 2 Carrots(finely diced)
- 1 cup Green olives(pitted and quartered)
- 0.5 cup Capers(drained)
- 0.5 cup Raisins
- 0.5 cup Dried plums (prunes)(chopped)
- 1.5 cups Ketchup
- 0.5 cup Mustard
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Nutmeg(freshly grated)
- Salt(to taste)
- Black pepper(to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Boil chicken breasts and pork until tender. Shred the chicken and grind the pork. Set aside.
💡 Tip: Save the cooking liquid from the meats for other uses. - 2
Soak the stale bread in milk until soft. Squeeze out excess milk.
💡 Tip: Using stale bread helps it absorb the milk better. - 3
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Sauté the minced onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened.
- 4
Add the shredded chicken, ground pork, and diced carrots to the pot. Cook for a few minutes.
- 5
Stir in the soaked bread, olives, capers, raisins, dried plums, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
💡 Tip: Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. - 6
Add the milk (from soaking the bread) and mix until you achieve a thick, paste-like consistency. Cook for about 1 hour, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
💡 Tip: The mixture should thicken considerably. - 7
Continue cooking for another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the stuffing is rich and well-combined.
- 8
Serve hot as a side dish or as a filling.
💡 Tip: This stuffing is a traditional accompaniment to roasted chicken or pork during the holidays.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a smoother texture, you can blend the soaked bread and milk mixture before adding it.
- ✓Adjust the sweetness and tanginess by varying the amounts of raisins, ketchup, and mustard.
- ✓This stuffing can be made a day in advance and reheated.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add cooked rice or diced potatoes to the stuffing for a heartier version.
- Incorporate other dried fruits like apricots or cherries.