Recipe

Chicken & Ricotta Phyllo Bundles

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 45 min
Serves: 8

Wrapping dishes in phyllo pastry can give a sense of elegance to the humblest recipe. Here, the delicate texture of ricotta and the bold flavour of oregano highlight the deeper flavour of chicken thighs in this Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Ingredients

8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 pkg phyllo dough, spelt or whole wheat, if available
1/4 cup (60 mL) white wine
2 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp (10 mL) oregano, dried
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) black pepper, freshly ground
1/4 tsp (1.25 mL) salt
1/2 lb (0.3 kg) low-fat ricotta cheese
1 egg, medium, beaten
2 tbsp (30 mL) Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp (30 mL) parsley, fresh, minced
2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) paprika

Instructions

1 Place frozen phyllo dough in refrigerator for 7-8 hours to thaw overnight. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours before using. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2 Make the stuffing by combining white wine, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, pepper, salt, ricotta cheese, egg, parmesan cheese and minced parsley.
3 Melt butter in small bowl in microwave and whisk in olive oil.
4 To make each bundle take one sheet of phyllo and brush the butter/olive oil mixture on it, then fold it in half on a dry work surface. Keep the remainder of the phyllo covered with damp towel to prevent drying out. Centre a chicken thigh on phyllo about 2-inches (5 cm) from short edge. Place ⅛ of the stuffing mix on chicken and pat down using fingers. Fold phyllo edges over chicken and roll up. Place, seam side down, on a baking sheet sprayed with vegetable oil spray.
5 Brush the tops of the bundles with butter/oil. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake in a preheated oven for about 45 minutes or until golden and chicken is no longer pink inside.