As we went for a little early evening walk today to walk off our slightly-too-large meal, Mr. Scrummy and I were talking about how our appetites have changed as we’ve got a bit older. We reminisced about how, up to the age of about 25 or so, we seemed to be able to stuff our faces, stuff our faces some more and then happily eat a large dessert (or two) on top of it all. These days, not so much – no doubt due to all the sitting at computers we do.
This has got me thinking about the Sunday lunches I used to have growing up. Almost every British family used to sit down to a family ‘roast’ every Sunday lunchtime. For most that meant one of three combinations: roast chicken with stuffing and possibly cranberry sauce, roast beef with Yorkshire puddings (a sort of big, airy, crispy risen ball of pancake batter – it might sound weird but trust me, it’s delicious), pork and apple sauce or lamb and mint sauce. Dessert might be a traditional British ‘pudding’ (different to the Yorkshire pudding!) such as apple pie or rhubarb crumble and custard. Afterwards, we would usually all collapse in front of a TV film, just about ready to burst.
These days, few families seem to cook these traditional meals. They still eat them sometimes, but it’s much more common to go to a local pub that has a Sunday ‘carvery’; in other words, a sort of buffet full of roasted meats, different kinds of potatoes, veggies, gravy and sauces. It’s cheap, relatively, and you can pile your plate up with as much food as you like, which many people make jolly sure they take advantage of! We occasionally used to go to a carvery when I was a child and took delight as a family in pointing out and, OK, I admit, sniggering a little at those people walking by with the highest mountains of food on their plate, more than likely with a Yorkshire pudding teetering dangerously on the top. It was a sort of morbid fascination, I suppose!
I’ve had this same fascination at times with those competitive eating shows like Man vs. Food. How could someone eat 15 hot dogs in 45 minutes, a 12-egg omelette, a 15-scoop ice cream sundae or a 12-patty burger? Well, I have no idea, but it makes for compelling viewing, that’s for sure.
OK, well I think the time has come for me to admit that what really got me thinking this way today was the ‘rather large’ size of the dinner I cooked today for myself and Mr. Scrummy, which you may or may not be able to see from my photos. Don’t panic – it’s not that this feta & sundried tomato stuffed chicken makes for a particularly large meal ordinarily, it’s just that the chicken breasts I used happened to be huuuuge, and I also may have piled on just a little too much mashed potato. Just may have, you understand.
Now the great thing (or one of the great things, anyhow) about these stuffed chicken breasts is that you can serve them in several ways. The way I served them, with mashed potatoes, baby broccoli and the lovely lemony buttery gravy drizzled all over the top, would make a wonderful easy-peasy ‘cheat’s’ Sunday lunch, I reckon. But they could be served equally as successfully with some roast potatoes and your choice of veggies or simply with some fresh crusty bread and green salad for a simple mid-week treat of a meal.
I chose to stuff my chicken with feta, oregano, sundried tomatoes, spinach and toasted pine nuts, but you could sub in spring onions, a different herb, ordinary tomatoes, olives and a different type of cheese, even, like gruyere or goat’s cheese.
The key to success, in my opinion, is just making sure that you cut a deep pocket in the side of your chicken breast so that you can cram as much stuffing inside as possible. Don’t be worried about it spilling out in the pan – you cook the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side without moving it, which not only nicely browns the chicken but also makes sure that the filling is somewhat ‘sealed’ inside.
The other big ‘selling point’ of this recipe is the tasty gravy which you make by simply whisking a little stock, butter and lemon into the pan juices and sticky bits in the pan. Mmmm ….
So before I go, I’m curious about a couple of things. What did you use to eat on Sundays when you were child? And … do you have anything similar to carveries in your country, and do you stare in fascination if you see someone with their plate piled high? (or maybe you’re the one with the mountain on your plate!)
Feta & sundried tomato stuffed chicken with lemon butter gravy
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts
- 1.5 ounces feta cheese crumbled
- a few chopped sundried tomatoes
- a handful or two of fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (medium-sized)
- salt and black pepper
- olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 a lemon worth of juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- a handful of basil leaves to serve (optional)
Instructions
-
Toast the pine nuts in a dry pan for a few minutes until lightly browned, then tip into a small bowl.
-
Add the feta, tomatoes, spinach & oregano to the bowl and mix well.
-
Slice a deep pocket into the slightly thicker edge of each chicken breast (be careful not to cut all the way through). Then stuff each with as much of the feta mixture as you can (push it right in so you can fit more in). Sprinkle each side of the chicken generously with salt and black pepper.
-
Heat up a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a pan, then when it’s hot put the chicken in. Let it cook without moving it for about 5 minutes, then turn it over and cook for about another 5 minutes on the other side. Put a lid on the pan and cook for a few minutes longer until the chicken is cooked through (try not to overcook).
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Transfer the chicken to a dish and keep warm, leaving any juices in the pan. Then add the chicken stock to the pan, scraping any sticky bits from the pan into it. Then squeeze in the lemon juice and add the butter, swirling it around until you have a silky gravy-like sauce. Continue to cook the sauce for a couple of minutes until it has thickened slightly.
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To serve, cut each piece of chicken in half at an angle, or if you prefer slice it into three or four even slices. Serve with the sauce poured over the top and, if you like, a few leaves of basil scattered over.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from this recipe by Martha Stwart.
I served this on top of mashed potatoes and baby broccoli. For a lighter meal, serve with roast potatoes or fries, crusty bread and a green salad or even with couscous, rice or quinoa. The side dish possibilities are endless!
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Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
12 Aug 14 at 6:28 pmThis is one of my favourite recipes. We did Friday night dinners much like your Sunday lunches. I’m always gobsmacked by the gluttony of people at a carvery 🙂
Helen says
12 Aug 14 at 6:39 pmSo glad you like it, Tandy! Really, you had special Friday night dinners? 🙂
Susan says
12 Aug 14 at 7:36 pmWe did not do a special Sunday dinner when I was growing up. However, my mother did make roast beef & Yorkshire pudding on a fairly regular basis, and I loved the Yorkshire pudding.
I’ve spent a good part of my life trying to keep my weight under control, and I hate buffet restaurants of any sort, because it’s hard to limit my portions there. I hate looking at plates that are piled incredibly high and I frequently find myself looking at extremely heavy people and wondering why they let themselves get so big. My bad habits still lurk, but I am much happier eating healthy food in reasonable quantities and ordering meals at restaurants that have a reasonable level of calories. For me, at least, life is much better that way. Whatever that might sound like to others, I am not deprived. I still drink alcohol and eat chocolate. Life is good.
Helen says
13 Aug 14 at 4:56 pmReally, your mum made roast beef and Yorkshire pud? Is she British, Susan?
I totally agree that we can be sensible with food so long as we can still have chocolate!! (she says, with a bar of chocolate by her side right this second)
I also agree that buffet restaurants can be a bit too tempting. The good thing about the British carveries is that you usually just go up there the once. I guess that’s why some people pile their plates so high on the first visit!
[email protected] TheGastronomicBong says
12 Aug 14 at 7:59 pmOMG! How delicious is that .. Stuffed chicken looks so amazing.. Love the stuffing… I am literally drooling.. just hand over the plate to me… Yummmm…. 😀
Helen says
13 Aug 14 at 4:54 pmOh Arpita, I’m so glad you like it so much! Give it a try, give it a try!!
Annie @Maebells says
12 Aug 14 at 8:25 pmThis is so wonderful! All of my favorite flavors in one dish! I actually have everything on hand. I think I know what I am having for dinner!
Helen says
13 Aug 14 at 4:50 pmOooh, how exciting, Annie! Well, if you do get around to making this, I really, really hope you enjoy it. Don’t forget the sauce!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
12 Aug 14 at 9:10 pmThis chicken looks wonderful, Helen! I haven’t made much stuffed chicken myself, but I love this flavor combination! I love using feta and sundried tomatoes whenever I can, so this is right up my alley.And the sauce sounds like the perfect combination.
Helen says
13 Aug 14 at 4:47 pmThanks so much, Gayle! I’ve made stuffed chicken breasts before and always loved them, but I hadn’t made them for ages. These were great, so do try them some time. And don’t forget that sauce – it’s just so easy and delish!
Crystal | Apples & Sparkle says
12 Aug 14 at 9:44 pmWow! This looks really great. My husband and I were just having that convo last night about how we/he doesn’t eat such big meals anymore and that our oldest son is taking the place as the resident “big eater”.
Helen says
13 Aug 14 at 4:44 pmHi, Crystal! I love the name of your blog … it makes me feel really cheerful!
That’s a coincidence that you had that conversation yesterday, too. Snap! So glad you like the chicken – it was a tasty one, that’s for sure!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
12 Aug 14 at 11:17 pmHelen, my moth is watering looking at this dish. That gravy look so good with that chicken. I’m definitely adding this to my menu. Pinning
Helen says
13 Aug 14 at 4:43 pmThanks, Cindy! I’m so happy that you like this enough to give it a try … and thanks for pinning!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
12 Aug 14 at 11:44 pmFeta and sundried tomatoes are our favourite thing to stuff chicken with and we eat it regularly. But, I have never had it with a gravy like this. Definitely try this next time.
Helen says
13 Aug 14 at 4:41 pmOh, do try the gravy with it next time, Dannii. It’s super easy – you just need the stock, lemon and butter and you’re done!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says
13 Aug 14 at 12:41 amThis is my kind of Sunday meal, Helen. It looks so so delicious.
Helen says
13 Aug 14 at 4:40 pmThanks, Norma! Big, but yes, delicious!
Ashley says
13 Aug 14 at 3:18 amSundays were always special breakfast days at our house growing up – my mom used to make biscuits and bacon or something along those lines! So good!
And this chicken looks so good too! haha nice transition there huh? You had me at feta but the sundried tomatoes and spinach don’t hurt either!
Helen says
13 Aug 14 at 4:39 pmBiscuits and bacon … wow! Hardly anyway in Britain even knows what biscuits are. You probably know that we call cookies ‘biscuits’! I know, we’re just weird …
So glad you like the chicken … I just have to work on making the dinner look a bit smaller next time – even if it isn’t really … haha!
cheri says
13 Aug 14 at 6:02 amHi Helen, never heard of a carvery before, so interesting. Love sundried tomatoes with feta cheese they just go so well together. It is interesting how much food I used to be able to eat and now sadly I can’t eat quite the same way.
Helen says
13 Aug 14 at 4:37 pmAh, so you don’t have carveries over in the USA! I thought maybe you did … 😉
Archana @ The Perfect Zest says
13 Aug 14 at 6:41 pmalthough I’m vegetarian, I love the look of this meal and I am sure to try something similar (stuffed chicken breast) for my meat eating family.
As for Sundays, my mom always made our favorite restaurant foods – which, in India, is different from home cooked meals. We always had a gathering of friends that would show up unannounced and join in the meals. Back then we didnt have any buffet style restaurants in Bombay, but we did eat out a lot on friday nights. I miss that.
These days I do hit up an Indian buffet some weekends for lunch here in the US. I dont pile my plate high at all – I’ve learned to take a little bit of everything and savor it. I do like the large spread though – I love a variety of foods for my meals.
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:35 pmYes, I can relate to that – it’s great to have a large choice of foods to choose from at a buffet, but just hard to be self controlled enough to just take a tiny bit of everything!
Your mum must be so hospitable to be OK with friends just turning up for lunch – isn’t that great, though!
Eva says
13 Aug 14 at 6:48 pmTon plat est prêt à être manger avec appétit, il pareil délicieux!! Quand j’était petite en Espagne, dimanche c’était paella fait par mon père ou cocido fait par ma mère, on dépendant de la saison 😉
Moi j’adoré le cocido, tu connais?
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:32 pmCoucou, Eva! je connais pas le cocido – c’est quoi exactement? Je connais bien le paella, bien sur, et le meilleur que j’ai jamais essayer c’etait a la maison d’une copine quand j’etais a Granada pendant quelques mois. Cela a du etre tres bon, le paella de ton pere! 🙂
Pam says
13 Aug 14 at 7:14 pmIt looks delicious and I love the mix of ingredients. This is my first time here and I really like your blog, will be looking around. Thanks for the recipe!
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:28 pmHello, Pam! So so happy to ‘meet’ you. And also feeling very honoured that you like the blog enough to stay and have a look around. Looking forward to checking out your blog, too! 🙂
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
13 Aug 14 at 7:53 pmOhhhhhh, I’m a Man V. Food fan too! 😀 He ate a MASSSSSIVE burger today that’s actually meant for 8 people but gave up about halfway through! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe Helen. Chicken is actually the only protein I enjoy eating so this is just perfect and I’m LOVING the stuffing and that gravy????? OMGGGGGG I just drooooooooled looking at it! Ohhh A Sunday roast sounds sooooo lovely and the dessert to follow after that must be the best ending to a perfect family dinner! Our Sunday family lunch is usually something heavy like a chicken biryani with some yogurt raita to cool down and then a lovely rice and saffron milk pudding we call Phirni and serve it chilled in clay bowls. And ummm… I’m usually the one with all the food the buffet can possibly have on the plate! What can I say, I just CANNOT keep myself away from food! 😀
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:27 pmEnjoyed this comment so much, Samina! I just love hearing about different readers’ food traditions. Somehow it’s easy to think that everyone has similar traditions to yourself, but they really don’t. I have to say that the biryani with raita sounds just wonderful. Do you have a recipe for that on your blog? If so I’d love to try making it some time. The phirni sounds beautiful, too. I love rice puddings of any kind! 🙂
marcie says
13 Aug 14 at 7:57 pmIt’s so funny to think that when my husband and I first met we were both cleaning our own plates, and now we share small plates when we eat out. Times change when you start to get older — exercise more and eat less. haha This meal looks so delicious Helen! Stuffed chicken is so special and I never get around to making it. Thank you for the inspiration!
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:24 pmOh, you’re so welcome, Marcie! This was the first time I’d made stuffed chicken in a while, too, and I was reminded of how easy and tasty it is.
I’m glad I’m not the only one around here feeling ‘times change’ as I get a bit older! 😉
[email protected] says
13 Aug 14 at 10:23 pmThis stuffed chicken looks amazing! I really love sun-dried tomatoes and I’m all over this lemon butter gravy. Sunday dinners are the best, aren’t they? My mom used to make these huge kid-friendly Italian American feasts with spaghetti, tomato sauce, Italian sausage and a little caesar salad on the side. And bread, and corn on the cob…just way too much food. But we loved it!
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:21 pmWow, it sounds as if your family were similar to Alyssa who wrote about a similar dish with the tomato sauce and Italian sausage in a comment above. It sounds divine!
So glad you like the chicken recipe. The gravy was the best, I have to admit … 🙂
Liz says
14 Aug 14 at 3:26 amYour chicken definitely looks scrumptious! And now you’ve put me in the mood for a roast beef with Yorkshire puddings…which I generally reserve for Christmas Day 🙂
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:19 pmOoh, roast beef and Yorkshires on Christmas Day would be perfect! I’ve actually never tried making Yorkshire puddings for myself – really got to put that one right!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
14 Aug 14 at 5:44 amHelen you’ve got me craving this chicken dish (and mashed potatoes) so badly – and I’ve already eaten dinner and it’s nearly my bedtime! It looks so delicious and I love the combination of flavors you’ve used. I need that gravy in my life, pronto, too!
In our (big, Italian) family we have “Sunday Sauce” – aka a huge pot of homemade marinara sauce with pasta, meatballs, and Italian sausage. It simmers just about all afternoon and makes the house smell divine! Pair it with a simple salad and a loaf of crusty Italian bread (to soak up all the excess sauce) and you’ve got enough food to feed a small army!
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:18 pmOh my goodness, now you’ve paid me back – you’ve got me massively craving your Sunday sauce! It sounds absolutely divine. Do you have a recipe for it on your blog (just being lazy here because I could go and find out). If not, maybe you could post it some time (hint hint). Well, not so much of a hint, but hey … 🙂
Monet says
14 Aug 14 at 6:59 amThis is gorgeous! I love feta…and it would be perfect in chicken. I’m still breastfeeding so I feel like I’m stuffing myself more often than not. Lol.
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:11 pmWell, you have a great excuse to stuff yourself then – enjoy yourself, I say!!
So glad you like this idea, Monet!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
14 Aug 14 at 7:44 amWe had a Sunday roast for the first time in ages last weekend. But I didn’t grow up having one so it’s not really a family tradition. It was more for convenience! 😛 This looks fantastic and I love the combo of flavours-we always have sun dried tomatoes 😀
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:10 pmFor me, sundried tomatoes just give things a lovely ‘flavour hit’.
It surprises me that you don’t have roasts very often, because you’ve posted a couple of ‘roasty’ type posts that I always think are really impressive. I’m a little bit ‘afraid’ of roasting meat, which is why something simpler like this is more up my street. 😉
whatjessicabakednext says
14 Aug 14 at 11:16 amThis looks amazing, Helen! Love feta and sun-dried tomatoes- so delicious! Definitely going to be trying this for dinner!
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:08 pmOh, please do, Jessica! It’s super easy and tasty, especially with the light gravy. So glad you like it!
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
14 Aug 14 at 11:36 amSunday lunches were sooooo different in Sierra Leone. You have got me thinking about maybe posting something along those lines. I tend to find chicken very dry but I think the addition of feta and sundried tomatoes would be really great.
Helen says
14 Aug 14 at 1:07 pmWell, don’t forget that you’ve got the sauce here, too … that makes a big difference. If you’re careful not to overcook it, it’s nice and juicy, too!
Bintu, I’d really love to read a post from you about this … yes, please!
Allison says
14 Aug 14 at 3:22 pmHelen, every time I come to your blog, I learn something about the world. I’m not even joking! You’re like the Rick Steves of food blogging (or the cooler equivalent of Rick Steves -not sure who that is!). I hear about the Sunday lunches on British cooking shows and television programmes. I love the tradition! Sounds like a gut-bursting good time. On Sundays, we didn’t do lunch, but dinner. It was always a kind of dry roast (my mom wasn’t the greatest cook), veggies, and potatoes. It was okay, but honestly, for the amount of work it involved, I never enjoyed it that much. I much prefer bold, international flavours now 🙂 Also, I bought feta yesterday for the first time in about a year(!) and now I want to put feta on all my food! Salty goodness. Love the spinach addition, too.
Helen says
15 Aug 14 at 7:31 amAllison, you sure know how to make a girl blush! I have heard of Rick Steves and am super honoured to be compared to him … hahaha!
Such a shame about your bad experience with Sunday lunches. I agree though that they are so so easy to get wrong. It’s definitely something I’d like to get some practice at, because when they’re good they’re REALLY good, and when they’re bad, well … you know all about that!
Have fun with your feta, Allison! It really does add a super punch of flavour, doesn’t it?
[email protected] says
14 Aug 14 at 10:19 pmThis looks like such a hearty delicious meal!! Love the addition of feta in stuffing!
Helen says
15 Aug 14 at 7:29 amHearty it is!! Thanks so much, Ami! 🙂
Laura @ Raise Your Garden says
14 Aug 14 at 11:34 pmAs always Helen, your recipe is to die for. That stuffed chicken looks so over the top good. Wish I was eating it right now instead of leftovers! Anything with sundried tomatoes wins my heart every time- you posted this recipe on my 9th anniversary, so wish I was eating it instead of the subpar quickie meal we got! Although might have to get hubby to stuff the chicken for me, I’m such a wuss with doing that part. Butter lemon gravy?!? oh my! I want to drink that down.
Helen says
15 Aug 14 at 7:29 amIt sounds as if sundried tomatoes win nearly everyone’s heart – good news! Happy anniversary, Laura! I think you should make sure you go out for a nice meal to celebrate to make up for your subpar leftovers meal! Well, it is the weekend, as well…
So glad you like this meal – I’m with you on the raw chicken thing, actually! I hate handling it so much! 😉
Sherri @ The Well Floured Kitchen says
15 Aug 14 at 4:00 pmI am definitely the one with the mounded plate – I can eat an insane amount of mashed potatoes in one sitting 🙂 I grew up eating pasta on Sundays – Italian family! This looks so amazing, pinned!
Helen says
16 Aug 14 at 3:00 pmWell, mashed potatoes can be pretty irresistible, especially with gravy! I think I’ve got to do some research about these special Sunday Italian pasta dishes I keep hearing about in the comments on this post. Sounds amazing!
Thanks so much for passing by and for pinning. 🙂
Meggan | Culinary Hill says
15 Aug 14 at 5:14 pmHelen, this looks soooo divine! It reminds me of one of my favorite entrees at a popular Italian restaurant chain in the US, but your version looks so much better! I have loads of sundried tomatoes on hand too and I’m always looking for things to do with them. Pinned and I’ll be sharing it!
Helen says
16 Aug 14 at 2:58 pmThanks so much, Meggan! It’s an old ‘trick’, I guess, stuffing chicken breasts, but always seems to turn out well. Hope I’ve given you some inspiration!
Isadora says
16 Aug 14 at 6:36 amI have the same obsession with shows like Man vs. Food. Part of me is fascinated while the other part of me wants to throw up! How could someone possibly fit that much food in their stomach?! And don’t even get me started on the spicy food challenges! I’ve only made stuffed chicken breasts once before, but they were so good and oozing with cheese! I love all the flavors you chose for this chicken! It sounds amazing, Helen!
Helen says
16 Aug 14 at 2:57 pmI don’t know how that guy on Man vs. Food isn’t absolutely huuuge! I guess the rest of the time when he isn’t on the show he eats salads … haha!
I’ve had a few types of these stuffed chicken breasts and have always enjoyed them … looking forward to dreaming up some other combos. So glad you like them, Issy!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
16 Aug 14 at 10:10 pmThe stuffed chicken alone sounds delicious, but I really must try the lemon butter gravy. omg and yes, then a good long walk is in order. 🙂
Helen says
17 Aug 14 at 4:00 pmHaha … yes, definitely don’t skip the long walk! Thanks so much for passing by, lea Ann!
Chrissy says
17 Aug 14 at 6:48 pmI JUST went to a talk about the decline of the family dinner. I hope (and like to think) that it’s on the way back…and this would definitely be a good one to have on the menu!
Helen says
18 Aug 14 at 10:53 amSounds interesting, Chrissy! Glad to be so topical! 🙂
Bri | Bites of Bri says
17 Aug 14 at 10:28 pmI love stuffed chicken and all the ingredients in this are my faves! Pinning!
Helen says
18 Aug 14 at 10:53 amThank you so much, Bri! And thanks for pinning, too!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
18 Aug 14 at 8:20 amwow this stuffed chicken looks amazing helen! definitely drooling over these images.. pinned!
Helen says
18 Aug 14 at 10:48 amThanks so much, Thalia. Glad to have made you drool!
Judit + Corina @ Glamorous Bite says
25 Aug 14 at 10:29 pmHelen, your stuffed chicken is just the perfect FEAST for a Sunday Family dinner! Love the pesto + sundried tomato stuffing. You are right, people seem to cook less, even for a Special occasions. It is sad because we have so many delicious memories which we could not live without. Gorgeous photos 🙂
Cheers,
J+C
Helen says
26 Aug 14 at 11:03 amYes, we’ve got too used to going out to eat, haven’t we? So glad you like this and thanks so much for the compliment on the photos. I take that as a huge compliment coming from you! 🙂