Stuffed Chicken Ballotine with Makhani Gravy
Dhananjai created this dish for MasterChef UK Professionals Season 18. A senior sous chef from India based in Edinburgh, Dhananjai drew on childhood memories of a beloved family restaurant for this Critics Round dish: 'This dish is taking inspiration from a restaurant that me and my family loved all through childhood. And it's that memory that I'm trying to recreate for the judges.' The concept bridges Indian, Mediterranean, and French traditions — a deboned chicken thigh stuffed with apricots, pistachios, and mint, served with a rich makhani gravy and olive and caper tapenade. William Sitwell praised the 'power' and 'heat' in the makhani sauce. Jay Rayner loved the 'sweet nuttiness' of the stuffing but found the chicken 'pale and unattractive.' Marcus confirmed the skin needed 'a little more searing.' Monica called the sauce 'absolutely fabulous' and praised the deep-fried capers. This recipe corrects the searing flaw while preserving every praised element. Chef’s Notes: Addressing t…
- Time: 95 min
Source: Relaxed Recipes
Ingredients
- PREPARE THE STUFFING
- In a bowl, combine the diced apricots, chopped pistachios, mint, parsley, lemon
- PREPARE AND STUFF THE CHICKEN THIGHS
- Lay each boneless chicken thigh skin-side down on a board. If the meat is uneven
- WRAP WITH CHIVES
- If wrapping with chives: blanch the whole chive stems in boiling water for 10 se
- SEAR THE BALLOTINES
- Preheat the oven to 375°F . Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy oven-safe skillet
- ROAST TO TEMPERATURE
- Transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast for 15–18 minutes until a meat thermomet
- MAKE THE MAKHANI GRAVY
- While the chicken roasts, heat the oil or ghee and butter in a saucepan over med
- MAKE THE OLIVE AND CAPER TAPENADE
- Pulse the olives, capers, garlic , olive oil, and lemon juice in a food processo
- DEEP-FRY THE CAPERS
- Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan to 350°F . Ensure the capers are thor
- PLATE THE DISH
- Slice each ballotine on a slight angle to reveal the stuffing within. Spoon a ge