Chicken In A Basket
A flavorful baked chicken dish served in hollowed bread with garlic, herbs, mushrooms, and olives, perfect for a hearty and satisfying meal with rich Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Brown chicken in olive oil, butter, and garlic. Once browned, add rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on low heat for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Remove chicken and sauté mushrooms in the same pan.
- Deglaze the pan with dry sherry and add green olives.
- Add chopped parsley to the sauce.
- Hollow out round French bread and lightly toast in the oven with butter and garlic.
- Place the chicken with mushrooms and olives inside the bread.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and bread.
- Wrap tightly in foil and bake for 20 minutes at 375°F.
- Serve hot with the bread as a container.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in olive oil, garlic, and rosemary for a few hours before cooking. If you don't have dry sherry, white wine or chicken broth can be effective substitutes. Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to the sauté mix for added texture and nutrition. This dish pairs beautifully with Mediterranean recipes for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish hot, directly from the foil for a rustic presentation. Pair with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal. For a delightful side, consider serving it alongside a simple Tomato Herb Sauce With Crabmeat And Scallops for a unique twist on flavor combinations.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, let the chicken in a basket cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the wrapped dish in an oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through, ensuring the bread stays crispy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken In A Basket contains roughly 208 calories, with 5g protein, 27g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is a good source of protein (10% of the Daily Value) and iron (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 840mg per serving (37% 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 bread for this recipe?
Yes, you can use any crusty bread like sourdough or ciabatta, but ensure it can hold the filling without falling apart. Just hollow it out as you would with the French bread, and toast it lightly for the best texture.
What can I substitute for chicken if I want a vegetarian option?
For a vegetarian version, consider using hearty vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, or portobello mushrooms instead of chicken. Sauté them until tender, then follow the same cooking method for the sauce and serve in the hollowed bread.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat, try incorporating red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce into the garlic and olive oil mixture when browning the chicken. You can also serve with sliced jalapeños on the side for those who enjoy extra spice.
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).