- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoons butter
- 4 4 ounce skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- I Tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 9”x14” sheet refrigerated or thawed puff pastry
- 2 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
- 8 ounces Baby Bella mushrooms, woody stems removed and chopped
- 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 4 ounces Brie or Gruyere cheese, cut into 4 thin slices
- 1 egg, beaten
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Heat the olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, and pepper. Cook until evenly browned, about 2½ -3 minutes per side, turning only once. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
In the same skillet, cook the bacon over medium high heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet, blot on a paper towel, then crumble.
In the same skillet with the bacon grease, place the onion, garlic and mushrooms and cook over medium heat stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms lose their moisture and onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Do not burn the garlic. Stir in the crumbled bacon and parsley.
Cut the puff pastry into 4 equal pieces. Place a cheese slice topped with a chicken breast in the center of the piece of puff pastry.
Combine the cream cheese and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.Spread ¼ of the cream cheese mixture over each chicken breast.Top with ¼ of the mushroom mixture.
Fold the top and bottom of the pastry over the chicken, trimming with kitchen shears or a knife so puff pastry is fairly evenly surrounding the chicken. Press the pastry seams together with damp fingers to seal. Place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Decorate the tops with leftover pastry if you like! Brush the tops with some of the beaten egg.
Bake in the preheated oven until pastry is golden brown and chicken is no longer pink in the center, 15 to 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F.
Cut each Chicken Wellington in half or serve whole. Garnish with whole Berry Cranberry Sauce.
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Recipe: Joyce Conway
Photo: Cindy Ramsey
While Chicken Wellington is a classic British dish, its delightful flavors have found a place in the hearts of many, including those in Italy. This savory creation, featuring tender chicken wrapped in puff pastry with layers of mushrooms and a rich duxelles, has become a culinary crossover that resonates with Italian palates. The Italian appreciation for fine ingredients and culinary craftsmanship welcomes the essence of Chicken Wellington, and it is not uncommon to find variations or adaptations in Italian kitchens. The dish showcases the universal appeal of combining quality poultry with expertly crafted pastry, transcending cultural boundaries and making its mark on the diverse tapestry of global cuisine.