Ingredients
WHOLE CHICKEN
1 da 1.5 kg
GROUND BEEF
200 gr
MINCED PORK
200 gr
STALE BREAD
150 gr
THINLY SLICED ​​SPECK
100 gr
GRATED PARMESAN
50 gr
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
4 tbsp
EGG
1
AROMATIC HERBS TO TASTE (SAGE, ROSEMARY, THYME, MARJORAM)
q.b.
LATTE
q.b.
SALE
q.b.
BABY
q.b.
YOU ALSO NEED THEM
POTATOES
1 kg
Stuffed chicken is a rich and succulent second course typical of Italian cuisine. A dish that immediately brings to mind Sunday lunches at grandma’s house and holidays, also perfect as a local alternative to the classic stuffed turkey, cooked according to tradition for American Thanksgiving .

Its preparation, only apparently complex, does not require particular skills, but the only thing is the foresight of sewing up the meat well, once stuffed, to prevent the filling from coming out during cooking. In our recipe the chicken is filled with a mixture, flavored with various spices and flavourings, based on mixed minced meat , chopped speck , grated parmesan, bread soaked in milk and well squeezed, and egg. Once ready, it is brushed with a mixture of oil, salt and pepper, and then placed in the oven with the diced potatoes , until the external crust is golden brown.

You will thus obtain a tasty and delicious dish, complete with side dish, to be accompanied alternatively with a portion of au gratin vegetables or a seasonal salad , and brought to the table for a dinner with special guests. For optimal results, remember to take the chicken out of the oven from time to time and brush it with its cooking juices: in this way you will ensure a soft and juicy final result, and not at all dry.

Find out how to prepare stuffed chicken following the step-by-step procedure and advice. If you liked this recipe, also try baked chicken and potatoes , and roast chicken .

How to prepare stuffed chicken

Step 1
Soak the stale bread with a drop of milk
1
, and let it soften for a few minutes.

Step 2
Pour the chopped speck into a large bowl
2
.

Step 3
Add the minced meat
3
.

Step 4
Add the grated parmesan
4
.

Step 5
Perfume with finely chopped aromatic herbs
5
.

Step 6
Season with salt and pepper
6
.

Step 7
Add the bread
7
, well wrung out.

Step 8
Finish with the egg
8
.

Step 9
Mix the ingredients well until you obtain a compact and homogeneous mixture
9
: if it is too wet, add a couple of spoonfuls of breadcrumbs, if it is too dry, soften the dough with a drop of milk.

Step 10
Stuff the chicken, pressing the filling all the way down
10
.

Step 11
Seal the meat, using a needle and kitchen string, and taking care to make a rather tight seam to prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking.
eleven
.

Step 12
Place the chicken in a large baking dish, where you have poured 2 tablespoons of oil, and brush the meat with the remaining oil mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper
12
.

Step 13
Peel the potatoes, cut them into chunks and pour them into the baking dish with the chicken
13
; then add salt.

Step 14
Place in the oven at 180°C and cook for about 1 hour
14
.

Step 15
From time to time take out the chicken and moisten it with the cooking juices
15
. Once cooked and well browned, take it out of the oven and let it rest for about ten minutes before serving.

Step 16
Arrange the stuffed chicken on a serving plate
16
, bring to the table and serve.

Advice
When purchasing, choose a free-range chicken from organic farms and, to prevent the meat from drying out too much during cooking, leave it whole with all the skin. If you wish you can also bone it with our advice (or have it done by your trusted butcher), then stuff it with the indicated ingredients and then roll it up like a roast : it will still be amazing.

To flavor the bird you can use your favorite aromatic herbs : marjoram, oregano, bay leaves, sage, rosemary, lemon thyme… Or you can complete the preparation with tufts of butter instead of extra virgin olive oil. Here we have suggested a possible type of filling, but the recipe can vary depending on the family that prepares it and the ingredients you have available at home: if you wish you can replace the minced beef and pork with crumbled sausage, add some mortadella chopped or make the filling with mixed vegetables cut into cubes.

For an even more enjoyable dish you can brush the meat with mustard dissolved in honey, and then adorn it with thinly sliced ​​bacon . Or you can add a splash of dry white wine or 1 glass of light beer halfway through cooking.

storage
The stuffed chicken can be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container, for a maximum of 1-2 days .