FoodMake the most of holiday leftovers: Try fruit & nut chicken

Make the most of holiday leftovers: Try fruit & nut chicken

Have you already gone through your cupboards after the holidays? Dried fruits and nuts are often leftover supplies. We often buy them for fruitcakes, compotes, and other dishes. It's easy to overestimate how much we need. Although they can be stored for a long time, it's better to use them promptly, for example, by preparing chicken with dried fruits and nuts.

Dried fruits go perfectly with chicken.
Dried fruits go perfectly with chicken.
Images source: © Adobe Stock

Dried fruits and nuts can be used in many ways. You can add them to oatmeal or yogurt or bake a cake. A less obvious idea is to use them in a meat dish. Dried plums or apricots go great with chicken and baked with them. Drumsticks are suitable even for a festive dinner.

Ensure they don't spoil

If you bought too many dried fruits and nuts before the holidays, use them promptly and ensure proper storage. They will stay fresh longer if you store them in a dry and cool place. Avoid plastic containers and metal cans, which can encourage mold. Instead, use cloth or paper bags, which allow the products to "breathe" and maintain high quality longer. If you haven't finished using nuts or dried fruits, it's better not to leave them in a plastic bag; transfer them elsewhere and try to use them quickly.

New year, new flavors

Combining meat with fruits, both fresh and dried, isn't very popular. However, we are slowly opening up to such dishes. Do you bake pork loin with plums for the holidays? Do you like duck with apples or oranges? You should also enjoy chicken with dried fruits. You will need plums and apricots, but you can also add a smaller amount of dried apples or pears. Nuts can complement their flavor—walnuts and hazelnuts pair particularly well.

Roasted chicken with dried fruits and nuts

Ingredients:

                 

  • 6 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Salt, pepper, paprika to taste
  • A sprig of fresh rosemary
  • 2 ounces dried plums
  • 2 ounces dried apricots
  • A handful of nuts
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2/3 cup white wine or broth
  • 2 tablespoons oil

Instructions:

  1. Rinse and dry the chicken drumsticks. Rub them with the spices. Drizzle them with oil and lemon juice. Leave them in a cool place for about an hour.
  2. Next, arrange the chicken drumsticks in an ovenproof dish. Place the fruits and nuts alongside them, and pour wine or broth over everything.
  3. Bake the chicken for about 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, covered. Then remove the lid, baste with the sauce formed, add rosemary, and bake for another 15 minutes.
  4. Rice pairs perfectly with this chicken dish.
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