STUFFED CHICKEN CHARLESTON STYLE

Serves 4

The microwave oven

Makes it possible to make this succulent roast chicken and all the trimmings in less than an hour. To complete the meal with "baked" potatoes, you can microwave them during the chicken's standing time.

1 whole chicken

4 strips uncooked bacon, diced

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped celery

1 1/2 cups packaged cornbread stuffing

1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

5 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted, divided

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons dry sherry, divided

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1 teaspoon salt or to taste

Ground pepper to taste

Remove giblets. In 1 1/2-quart microwave-safe utensil place diced bacon; cover with paper towel. Microwave at HIGH (100% power) 3 minutes or until crisp, stirring twice. With slotted spoon, remove bacon to paper towel to drain; set aside. Reserve drippings. In same 1 1/2-quart microwave-safe utensil, combine onion and celery; cover with plastic wrap. Microwave at HIGH 2 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, combine onions and celery with stuffing, pecans, and cooked bacon. In cup, blend 2 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons sherry and water; toss with stuffing. Spoon stuffing loosely into cavity and neck openings of chicken. With rounded wooden picks, fasten skin across cavity and neck openings.

Combine 1 tablespoon butter with 1 teaspoon sherry; brush on chicken. Place chicken, breast side down, on microwave-safe roasting utensil; cover with wax paper. Microwave at MEDIUM-HIGH (70% power) 10 minutes per pound, brushing chicken frequently with butter-sherry mixture and drippings. Halfway through cooking time, turn chicken breast side up; re-cover with wax paper. Complete cooking. Let stand, covered, 15 minutes. Test for doneness after standing; juices should run clear with no hint of pink when thigh is pierced

Pour pan drippings into a 2-cup glass container. Add 1/2 cup sherry to roasting utensil to loosen pan juices; pour into container with drippings. Microwave at HIGH 3 minutes; stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter and parsley. Serve chicken, sliced, with stuffing and gravy.

Chicken Recipes - The Perdue Chicken Cookbook

Copyright (C) by Mitzi Perdue - Used with Permission

Eggscape

Diabetic Recipes