Learn how to prepare this recipe of Spanish origin, where the key lies in making the most of the broth’s flavors and the roasting of vegetables for a comforting dish.
At the first bite, what stands out is the contrast between the softness of the pasta and the depth of the filling, enhanced by a sauce that balances the natural acidity of the tomato with the herbal aroma contributed by thyme and bay leaf. The texture is delicate, while the final gratin adds that crunchy and golden touch that invites you to keep eating. Below, we will guide you step by step so you can achieve this preparation successfully, mastering the art of integrating textures and flavors from the base.
The Importance of Broth and Roasting
To make this recipe stand out, it is essential to pay attention to how we treat the base ingredients, since they determine the final flavor profile of your dish:
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The broth as a booster: Never discard the liquid resulting from cooking the chicken breasts. This broth is the soul of the red sauce, as it contains all the essence and the proteins released by the chicken during the process, along with the aromatic notes of bay leaf and thyme.
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Roasting vegetables: By roasting the tomatoes, peppers, and garlic, we achieve a natural caramelization that intensifies the vegetables’ sugars. This step is what makes the difference between a flat tomato sauce and one with body, depth, and a subtle smoky flavor that perfectly complements the tenderness of the shredded chicken.
The Assembly and the Pasta Doneness
The technique for assembling the cannelloni defines both its presentation and the eating experience:
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Precise pasta cooking: Make sure to remove the lasagna sheets from the water just as they reach al dente. If they are overcooked, they will lose their structure when rolling and will tear, ruining the final presentation of the dish.
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Abundant bathing: When transferring the cannelloni to the baking dish, don’t skimp on the sauce. The success of this dish is that the pasta remains hydrated and full of flavor during the gratin process, preventing the edges from drying out.
CHICKEN CANNELLONI IN RED SAUCE | RECIPE
Ingredients
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2 chicken breasts.
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2 red bell peppers.
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3 cloves of garlic.
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1 tablespoon dried thyme.
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4 bay leaves.
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5 ripe red tomatoes.
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2 tablespoons mustard butter.
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12 lasagna sheets.
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Salt.
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Pepper.
Preparation
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Prelay out all the ingredients needed for the dish.
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Heat a pot over medium heat and add the mustard-flavored butter along with the chicken breasts. Season with salt and pepper to taste and sauté for about 5 minutes until the pieces are lightly browned.
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Pour enough water to cover the breasts. Add the bay leaves and thyme for aromatization. Cook the chicken for 20 to 30 minutes maximum. When finished, remove the breasts and let them cool. It is very important to reserve the remaining cooking broth and let it cool as well.
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Once the breasts are cool, shred them to prepare the filling and reserve this chicken.
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Wash the tomatoes and peppers, and remove the skins from the garlic. Roast these vegetables in the oven, drizzling them with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper at 120 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes.
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Make sure the chicken cooking broth is ready, as it is essential for making the sauce.
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Cook the lasagna sheets in boiling water until they are ready, remove them and reserve them carefully.
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In a container, place the roasted vegetables and the reserved chicken broth. Process the mixture with a blender until the ingredients are perfectly integrated. If necessary, adjust the salt and pepper.
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Fill each lasagna sheet with the shredded chicken and roll them carefully. Place the rolls in a baking dish, cover them with plenty of red sauce and, if you wish, add parmesan cheese on top.
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Bake the cannelloni in the oven for ten minutes or until the cheese is completely melted and lightly golden.
This dish stands out for being low in calories and not containing excessive added fat, though remember that the use of cheeses and butter can raise the saturated fat content. Enjoy this classic recipe that combines the best of traditional techniques with the freshness of natural ingredients.
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