Spice up your mealtime routine with a Chinese New Year feast

Weary of the same old recipes? Break out of the monotony and add a little variety to your mealtime routine with a Chinese-inspired feast. Celebrating holidays like Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan. 30 this year, is a great way to teach children about customs in other countries and an easy way to introduce new flavours to the dinner table. With a few simple ingredients and an Asian-inspired sauce, you can whip up a meal that will capture the spirit of the holiday and bring a little adventure to the dinner table.

Bursting with Asian-inspired flavours and filled with warm goat cheese, the stuffed chicken recipe below looks complicated but comes together in no time flat. Simple to prepare, this dish is risk-free and will bring out your inner culinary connoisseur.

Chicken stuffed with Broccoli and Goat Cheese

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
1/2 cup (125 mL) plain goat cheese (cream cheese can also be used)
2 cups (500 mL) frozen broccoli florets
2 tbsp (30 mL) vegetable oil
1 bottle VH Sweet & Sour Sauce

1. Place 1 chicken breast between 2 large pieces of plastic wrap, carefully pound chicken breast with the flat side of a meat tenderizer or rolling pin. Flatten breast to a thickness of 1/2 cm (1/4 inch), taking care not to tear the chicken. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.

2. Place broccoli in a small glass and add just enough water to cover the florets, microwave for 4 minutes. Drain and chop finely. Stir warm broccoli into goat cheese until well combined.

3. Place 1/4 of the cheese mixture at the base of the first piece of chicken, carefully roll the meat over the cheese, tucking in the sides to enclose the cheese. Use 2-3 toothpicks to secure. Repeat with remaining 3 breasts.

4. In a large sauté pan heat oil over medium-high, brown chicken on all sides, about 7 minutes. Add sweet & sour sauce to the pan along with 1/4 cup (60 mL) water. Cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes.

5. Slice chicken and serve with sauce poured over top.

Too busy to cook? Try VH Steamers Kung Pao Chicken from the company’s line of frozen entrees. Packed with crisp vegetables and Asian-inspired sauces, these flavourful meals are ready in less than five minutes. Additional recipe ideas are available online at www.vhsauces.ca.

Source: www.newscanada.com

Have you tried this recipe or have a cooking tip for other readers? Share it in the comments below.

More flavourful inspiration:

Thai Carrot and Chicken Balls
Vietnamese Beef and Mushroom Soup
Spicy Beef, Scallion and Red Pepper Stir-Fry
Asian Sesame Salmon
Thai Green Chicken Curry with Coconut Rice