APRICOT CHICKEN ROLL-UPS

Note: This recipe takes a little longer than most on this site and requires more dirty bowls, etc to be cleaned up. But it is a great easy recipe for company or just family dinners. The good part is while it takes a few minutes of prep time, you will have time to clean up and do other things for the 30 to 40 minutes the chicken bakes.

1 1/3 cups dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3 tbsp honey
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
2/3 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp butter
2 eggs
6 medium sized boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Coat a 3-quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

In a bowl combine the apricots, cranberries, honey, and ginger; set aside.

Stir together breadcrumbs, parsley, flour, cheese, paprika, sugar, salt, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Transfer to a shallow dish. Place eggs in a pie plate and beat lightly with a fork.

Place each piece of chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap and hit with a mallet or the end of a saucer until pounded to no more than 1/4-inch thick. Remove the plastic wrap and discard. Place 1/6 of the apricot mixture into the center of each chicken piece. Fold in the bottom and sides; roll up and secure with wooden toothpicks. Dip the chicken rolls into the egg mixture, wetting all over, then dip in the crumb mixture, covering all. Place chicken in the prepared baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes until done.

Yield: 6 servings.

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