Roast Breast of Chicken
with Mushroom Duxelles and Herb Butter

Duxelles, a mixture of finely minced mushrooms sautéed in butter and reduced to a paste, is combined with an herbed butter and stuffed beneath the skin of the chicken breasts prior to roasting. This delicious recipe was developed at the L'Academie de Cuisine, Gaithersburg, MD.

Recipe Ingredients:

4 chicken breast halves, bone-in and skin on
1 1/2 pounds assorted mushrooms, brushed of dirt
1 lemon, zest and juice
2 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 teaspoons salt - divided use
2 1/2 teaspoons black pepper - divided use
4 slices bacon, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup (stick butter), room temperature
1 cup packed mixed fresh herbs

Cooking Directions:

1. In food processor, pulse mushrooms in 3 batches. (Don’t process too finely; mixture should resemble fine gravel.) Transfer mushrooms to bowl; add half of lemon juice. Warm 2 tablespoons butter in non-stick sauté pan over low heat; add mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until all liquid has completely absorbed, about 35 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
2. In another sauté pan, place bacon and cook over medium heat until golden and beginning to crisp, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove bacon to paper towel to drain. Add onion to same pan and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until onions are soft, stirring often. Remove from heat and cool.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place chicken on flat surface and season both sides of each piece, using one teaspoon salt and one teaspoon black pepper. Allow to sit for 10 minutes.
4. In bowl of food processor, place garlic, one stick of butter, herbs, lemon zest and remaining lemon juice; process until smooth. Transfer to large bowl. Combine with mushrooms, bacon and onion; blend well. Season with remaining half teaspoon salt and half teaspoon black pepper.
5. Gently run finger under skin of chicken. Divide mushroom-herb mixture into four equal portions; stuff under skin of each piece of chicken. Place in roasting pan and roast in oven 40 to 50 minutes, until skin is deep golden brown.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of the National Chicken Council. Used with permission.