Chicken Ballotine

A good roast doesn’t need to be complicated. This Chicken Ballotine is filled with sausage, prosciutto, and pistachios, bringing warmth and comfort to any meal.

For the April Daring Cooks Challenge, Lisa from Parsley, Sage and Sweet encouraged us to debone a whole chicken. If you’re curious about how the French chef Jacques Pépin makes his own version, watch Jacques Pépin’s Chicken Ballotine video.

What a thrill it was! I had never deboned a chicken before, yet the idea fascinated me from the start.

When I was little, my parents often took me to an old-fashioned butcher in Piedmont to stock up on meat for winter. I would climb onto a chair and watch him cut, weigh, and debone the meat while his wife handed me a few slices of homemade salami to snack on. Those smells and sounds have stayed with me ever since, and perhaps that is why raw meat never worried me.

This challenge brought all those memories back, and I couldn’t wait to try it here in my Australian kitchen. I filled my ballotine with a traditional Italian stuffing of minced beef, sausage, prosciutto, mortadella, and pistachios. What came out of the oven was a tender, perfectly cooked roast that became even more delicious the next day.

What Is Chicken Ballotine?

Chicken Ballotine is a French-inspired dish often embraced in Italian kitchens. It’s made by deboning a whole chicken, filling it with a rich stuffing, and rolling it tightly before roasting. Once cooked, it looks like a golden, boneless roast that slices cleanly to reveal beautiful layers inside.

In Italy, this style of stuffed roast is often served during festive gatherings or holidays. My family likes to fill it with a mix of meats, cheese, and pistachios, similar to the flavours we use in our traditional Christmas capon. It’s hearty and comforting, and it always brings a sense of occasion to the table.

Why This Roast Always Wins Everyone Over

Sharing it around the table feels like passing down a family tradition.
Leftovers reheat well and taste even more flavourful the next day.
Preparing it ahead of time makes entertaining stress-free.

Key Ingredients for Chicken Ballotine

Chicken

Once deboned, it’s the perfect base for the savoury filling and stays tender when roasted.

Mortadella

A finely ground Italian cold cut from Bologna made with seasoned pork and tiny cubes of fat. It adds a mild, smooth flavour that gives the stuffing its signature Italian taste.

Pistachios

A Sicilian favourite that adds colour and a gentle crunch.

Find the complete list with measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chicken Ballotine

Chicken and Stuffing

Step 1: Soak the bread with Marsala and then mix it with all the other ingredients apart from the prosciutto and mortadella slices.

Step 2: Keep the stuffing in the fridge while deboning the chicken.

Step 3: Debone the chicken following the instructions in How to Debone a Chicken.

Note: The chicken should look smooth and flat once deboned, as shown in the photos below.

Step 4: Gently flatten the chicken out with a meat mallet.

Step 5: Season with salt and pepper.

Step 6: Put the prosciutto slices on the open chicken. Spread the stuffing evenly across the surface (make sure to spoon some filling into the thighs so they cook evenly). Layer the mortadella slices on top.

Step 7: Close the chicken and tie it up with butcher’s twine (as shown in Jacques Pépin’s Chicken Ballotine video).

Roasting

Step 1: Put the ballotine in an oven tray and rub it with the ground pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

Step 2: Drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil.

Step 3: Put the garlic cloves, bay leaves, rosemary, and sage in the tray.

Step 4: Roast in a preheated oven at 230°C – 445°F for the first 15 minutes, then add in the white wine, water, and crumbled stock cube.

Step 5: Decrease the temperature to 200°C – 390°F and roast for 1 hour, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 74°C – 165°F (the juices should run clear when you pierce the chicken).

Step 6: Add the sliced apples 15 to 20 minutes before the chicken is ready.

Roasted chicken ballotine with golden skin and apple wedges in a baking pan after cooking.

Step 7: Let the ballotine rest for approximately 20 minutes, covered loosely in foil, before slicing and serving it with the apples and sauce.

Chicken ballotine sliced and served with roasted apples and sauce on a square platter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare this Chicken Ballotine recipe in advance?

Yes, you can assemble it a day ahead. Keep it tied and covered in the fridge, then roast it before serving. Preparing it early allows the flavours in the stuffing to develop even more.

What type of sausage works best for the filling?

Italian pork sausage is traditional because of its seasoning and fat content. You can also use veal sausage or mild chorizo for a different but complementary flavour.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The internal temperature should reach 74°C – 165°F when measured at the thickest part. The juices should run clear when pierced, and the skin should be golden and crisp.

Extra Help from the Kitchen

Keep the Skin Intact When Deboning – Work slowly with a sharp knife so the skin stays whole; it helps wrap and hold the filling during roasting.

Tie the Chicken Evenly – Use kitchen twine at regular intervals to keep the stuffing secure and promote even cooking.

Rest Before Slicing – Cover loosely with foil for 20 minutes so the juices settle and the meat stays tender.

Variations and Twists

Add a Smoky Twist with Chorizo – Replace part of the sausage with chorizo for a spiced, smoky variation. This makes a flavourful Chicken and Chorizo Ballotine, pairing well with the roasted chicken and adding gentle warmth to the dish.

Try Mushrooms for an Earthy Flavour – Sauté chopped mushrooms and fold them into the stuffing for a deep, savoury taste.

Swap Mortadella for Ham or Turkey Deli Meat – If you can’t find mortadella, thin slices of cooked ham or turkey deli meat provide a similar mild flavour and smooth texture. It’s a great way to make a lighter Chicken and Ham Ballotine that still feels special.

Experiment with Cheese – Mix in grated mozzarella or fontina instead of Parmigiano Reggiano for a creamier and slightly milder stuffing. The cheese melts through the filling, giving each slice a soft, rich flavour.

Storage and Shelf Life

Leftover Chicken Ballotine keeps well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Wrap the slices in foil or store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness. For longer storage, freeze portions in sealed freezer bags for up to 2 months.

Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. To serve again, place the slices in an ovenproof dish, cover with foil, and warm at 160°C – 320°F for about 10–15 minutes until heated through.

What to Serve with Homemade Chicken Ballotine

Serve the Chicken Ballotine sliced into neat rounds so the layers of meat and pistachios show through. Spoon over the pan juices and roasted apples for a simple, flavourful sauce. It pairs well with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad.

Round out your festive spread with buttery peas or roasted baby carrots and a glass of sparkling rosé or crisp white wine.

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