Recipe: Basil-Garlic Chicken Pastries with Basil Garlic Cream Sauce (using phyllo)

Basil-Garlic Chicken Pastries with Basil Garlic Cream Sauce (using phyllo)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup plus 4 tablespoons butter, divided
l carrot, cut in 3-inch strips
l celery stalk, cut in 3-inch strips
l small onion, cut in 8 wedges
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
4 phyllo pastry sheets
Basil-Garlic Cream Sauce: recipe follows
parsley sprigs

On half of each chicken breast half, place1 1/2 teaspoons butter, 1 strip each of carrot and celery and l onion wedge.

Mix together lemon pepper seasoning, basil leaves, ginger and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; sprinkle over chicken. Fold other half of chicken over vegetables.

Melt 1/2 cup butter; brush on phyllo sheets and place chicken in center of each at one end. Roll chicken, folding, to opposite end of phyllo sheet; trim excess and seal edges. Place, seam side down, on buttered baking dish; brush with remaining butter.

Place in 350F. oven for l hour or until brown.

In small frypan, place remaining l tablespoon butter and remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; add remaining carrot and celery strips and onion wedges. Saute until tender crisp and set aside. Place chicken on platter; ladle on warm Basil-Garlic Sauce and garnish with saut ed vegetables and parsley.

Basil-Garlic Cream Sauce:
Melt 1/4 cup butter; add 1/2 teaspoon dried basil and l teaspoon garlic powder. Stir in 2 tablespoons flour; add 1/2 cup chicken stock, stirring until bubbly. Add l cup half-and-half, stirring. Add salt and pepper, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.
Source: National Chicken Council; Gerald Payne