Chicken Ferninand
Chicken Ferninand features tender chicken breasts filled with a flavorful crabmeat mixture, topped with a creamy cheese sauce—luxurious and perfect for special occasions or elegant dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless) ⓘ
- 4 slices bacon ⓘ
- 4 oz. crabmeat (backfin) ⓘ
- 4 oz. snow crabmeat ⓘ
- 3 slices whole wheat bread ⓘ
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 green pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 onion
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 oz. flour ⓘ
- 1 oz. margarine
- 1 cup milk ⓘ
- 1/2 cup Swiss cheese
- 1 cup cream ⓘ
- 2 oz. chicken base ⓘ
- 2 oz. dry sherry ⓘ
Instructions
- In a food processor, chop green pepper, onion, and bread slices.
- Combine the chopped green pepper, onion, bread mixture with crabmeat in a mixing bowl.
- Add mayonnaise, lemon pepper seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt, and pepper to the crab mixture.
- Mix well and divide the mixture into 4 equal balls.
- Flatten each crabmeat ball and stuff each into a chicken breast, then secure with toothpicks if necessary.
- Wrap each stuffed chicken breast with a slice of bacon.
- In a saucepan, melt margarine and stir in flour to make a roux.
- Gradually add milk, cream, chicken base, and dry sherry, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Add Swiss cheese to the sauce and stir until melted and smooth.
- Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a baking dish, pour the sauce over them, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes or until cooked through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider using turkey bacon instead of regular bacon. If you can't find backfin crabmeat, lump crabmeat is a great substitute. Ensure the chicken breasts are pounded thin for easier stuffing. If you prefer a spicy kick, add extra Tabasco sauce to the crab mixture. This recipe pairs beautifully with Kraft Oven-Tender Chicken Recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Chicken Ferninand with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh garden salad for a balanced meal. It also pairs well with rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the creamy sauce. For a delightful twist, try it alongside Hearty Cheddar Cheese Chowder for a comforting dinner experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving, as it can dry out the chicken.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Ferninand contains roughly 742 calories, with 30g protein, 41g carbohydrates, and 51g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (61% of the Daily Value), calcium (35% of the Daily Value), and iron (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2923mg per serving (127% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cheese in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute Swiss cheese with Gruyère or Monterey Jack for a different flavor. Just ensure the cheese melts well to maintain the creamy texture of the sauce.
What can I serve with Chicken Ferninand?
This dish goes well with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with a crisp Caesar salad or roasted asparagus for a fresh contrast. For a heartier option, mashed potatoes or quinoa work beautifully.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the stuffed chicken breasts and the sauce a day in advance. Just store them separately in the refrigerator and combine them before baking. This will also enhance the flavors.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).