Prairie Wild Rice and Mushroom Stuffed Chicken
Tender chicken breasts stuffed with a hearty and flavorful mixture of wild rice, earthy mushrooms, and aromatic herbs, inspired by the bounty of the Canadian prairies.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 6-oz each Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1.5 cups Cooked wild rice
- 8 oz Mixed mushrooms(chopped (e.g., cremini, shiitake))
- 1 medium Shallot(finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 0.5 cup Chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Fresh thyme(chopped)
- 1 tsp Fresh sage(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 0.75 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
💡 Tip: Ensure oven is fully preheated. - 2
Prepare the chicken breasts: place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound to about 1/2-inch thickness. Make a horizontal cut into the thickest side of each chicken breast to create a pocket for stuffing.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
In a skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 minutes - 4
Add chopped mushrooms and cook until browned and tender, about 7-10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
⏱️ 11 minutes - 5
Stir in the cooked wild rice, chicken broth, fresh thyme, and sage. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until liquid is mostly absorbed.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 6
Remove filling from heat and let cool slightly. Carefully stuff the wild rice and mushroom mixture into the pockets of the chicken breasts.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 7
Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a baking dish. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season the outside with the remaining 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 8
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
⏱️ 30 minutes💡 Tip: If the chicken starts to brown too quickly, you can tent it loosely with foil. - 9
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the wild rice is fully cooked and cooled before mixing with other ingredients.
- ✓Don't overstuff the chicken breasts, as the filling may spill out.
- ✓Using a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to check for doneness.
🔄 Variations
- Add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to the stuffing for added crunch.
- Incorporate a tablespoon of cream cheese into the filling for a richer texture.
- Use turkey breast instead of chicken.