A beautiful presentation in just minutes. Apricots and pine nuts bring color and depth in flavor, contrast the coffee, and highlight the chicken. Slice the breast rolls on the bias with an electric knife for a perfect and quick cut. Serve with a drizzle of sauce over them and the rest in a small cup.
By now you must be thinking, how much yogurt she can take? If I tell you that you would never believe it was yogurt I used, you’d think I was joking. These recipes can also be prepared with half-and-half, but I use yogurt because it is easier to digest, lighter for dinner, and its consistency lets me work with it perfectly. I use yogurt to stretch and carry the flavors throughout the sauce; I am a real fan of yogurt.
Pound each breast to 1/4-inch thickness and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; drizzle with 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil and set aside until ready to cook.
In a small sauté pan combine the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil, the scallion, 1 tablespoon basil, the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon coffee, and the remaining salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes over low heat, until the mixture is fragrant. Set aside 1 tablespoon each of the apricots and pine nuts, and stir the rest into the mixture. Transfer to a plate and set aside to cool. Keep the pan for the sauce.
In a small bowl dissolve the remaining 1 teaspoon coffee in 1 1/2 teaspoons water.
If using yogurt, stir the yogurt, honey, and cornstarch into the coffee. Pour into the sauté pan, put back on the heat and bring to a boil. Add the reserved apricots, pine nuts, and the remaining basil and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, just until thickened. Keep warm.
If using half-and-half, stir the half-and-half and honey into the coffee. Pour into the sauté pan, put back on the heat, bring to a boil, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Add the remaining apricots, pine nuts, and basil and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. Keep warm.
Spread half the cooled apricot–pine nut mixture over each breast half, roll, and secure with wooden toothpicks. Place a griddle or heavy sauté pan over medium heat; when hot, remove it from the heat and spray with oil. Return the griddle to the heat. Add the breasts and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, turning to sear and brown on all sides.
Transfer the stuffed breasts to a shallow baking pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Pour any juices into the sauce and reheat. Slice each roll into rounds and serve with the sauce.
Chef Coach, Food Nutritionist and Cook in Love with Latin Food, Author of six cookbooks. 40+ years of Experience in the Food Industry & Nutrition
...& the Science of Food