Patrick Oconnell
Hunters Chicken is a British pub classic, with chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, smothered in barbecue sauce, and topped with melted cheese. The cheese is a key component of the dish, adding a creamy richness to the chicken. While a blend of grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese is a popular choice, creating a melty, gooey topping, there are many other options to choose from.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Mozzarella, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Red Leicester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Wensleydale, Stilton, Parmesan |
| Cheese form | Grated, sliced |
| Amount | 50g each of mozzarella and cheddar |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella and cheddar
Hunters Chicken, a British pub classic, is a simple yet delicious dish. The recipe calls for chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, smothered in barbecue sauce, and topped with melted cheese. While various cheeses can be used, a blend of mozzarella and cheddar is a popular choice.
Mozzarella cheese adds a nice stretch and creates a bubbling effect on the dish. Its stringy, gooey texture blends well with the other ingredients, resulting in a creamy and rich Hunters Chicken. On the other hand, cheddar cheese contributes a strong flavour to the dish. The sharpness of cheddar pairs well with the smokiness of the barbecue sauce and the saltiness of the bacon.
To prepare Hunters Chicken with mozzarella and cheddar cheese, start by wrapping chicken breasts in bacon. Place them in a baking dish and cook in the oven until the chicken is cooked through. Remove from the oven and generously brush the chicken breasts with barbecue sauce. Sprinkle a combination of grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top. Return the dish to the oven and bake for a few more minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
For a more indulgent version, you can also add cheese inside the chicken breast. Simply make a slit along the centre of each breast, being careful not to cut all the way through, and stuff it with grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese. This ensures an extra cheesy treat in every bite.
When choosing the cheese, opt for grated or shredded varieties. You can use a combination of 50 grams of each type of cheese for a balanced flavour and texture. However, feel free to adjust the proportions according to your preference. Hunters Chicken is best served fresh out of the oven, accompanied by sides such as chips, mashed or roast potatoes, and vegetables.
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Monterey Jack
Hunters Chicken, a British pub classic, is a simple yet delicious dish. It typically consists of chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, smothered in barbecue sauce, and topped with melted cheese. While some recipes call for a combination of cheddar and mozzarella, Monterey Jack is another excellent option for cheese that will complement the other flavours in the dish.
When using Monterey Jack in Hunters Chicken, it is essential to consider the balance of flavours. The cheese should complement, not overpower, the other ingredients. To ensure the cheese doesn't dominate, use a generous amount of barbecue sauce to create a tangy and savoury base. Additionally, wrapping the chicken in bacon will not only keep it moist but also provide a salty contrast to the creamy cheese.
Preparing Hunters Chicken with Monterey Jack is a straightforward process. After seasoning the chicken breasts, wrap them in bacon and bake until cooked through. Then, generously brush on the barbecue sauce, covering the entire surface. Finally, sprinkle or layer on the Monterey Jack cheese and return the dish to the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Using Monterey Jack in Hunters Chicken offers a slightly different flavour profile compared to the traditional cheddar and mozzarella combination. Its mild and creamy characteristics make it a versatile choice that allows the barbecue sauce and bacon flavours to shine through. For those seeking a subtle yet indulgent cheese option, Monterey Jack is an excellent selection for this classic comfort food.
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Red Leicester
For a hunter's chicken, you'll want to use a cheese that has a strong flavour and melts well, so Red Leicester would be an excellent choice. To make hunter's chicken, you'll need to wrap chicken breasts in bacon, smother them in barbecue sauce, and top them with cheese before baking in the oven. Some recipes suggest using grated cheese, while others recommend cheese slices. If you opt for grated cheese, you can mix Red Leicester with mozzarella to get that nice, stretchy texture.
If you're using slices, you may want to try embedding a slice of cheese in the middle of the chicken breast, as one source suggests. This will ensure that the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the dish. You could also try a combination of grated Red Leicester and sliced mozzarella, or even a mix of grated Red Leicester and mozzarella.
When it comes to the barbecue sauce, you can use a shop-bought option or make your own. If you're using a store-bought sauce, you can add honey, smoked paprika, and/or chilli powder to give it a sweet, smoky, or spicy kick.
Once you've assembled your hunter's chicken, bake it in the oven until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve it with your favourite sides, such as chips, mashed or roast potatoes, and vegetables. Enjoy!
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Crumbled Lancashire, Cheshire or Wensleydale
Hunters Chicken is a British pub classic that is easy to make at home. It is made with chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, smothered in barbecue sauce, and topped with melted cheese. While the classic recipe calls for a combination of cheddar and mozzarella, you can experiment with different cheeses to add your own twist to the dish.
One option is to use crumbled Lancashire, Cheshire, or Wensleydale cheese. These cheeses will add a tangy flavour to your Hunters Chicken. To prepare the dish, wrap each chicken breast in two to three slices of bacon, securing the ends underneath the chicken to prevent them from unraveling. Place the wrapped chicken breasts in a baking dish and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 200°C/400°F until the chicken is cooked through.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and generously brush each breast with barbecue sauce. Sprinkle the cheese over the top of each breast. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
You can serve your Hunters Chicken with a variety of sides, such as chips, fried or mashed potatoes, and vegetables like peas, broccoli, carrots, or runner beans. It is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days and reheated in the oven at a low temperature.
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Parmesan
Grated Parmesan in the Breadcrumbs
You can add grated Parmesan to the breadcrumbs that coat the chicken breast. This will add a layer of flavour and an extra crunch to your dish.
You can use a mixture of cheeses for your Hunter's Chicken. A combination of fresh mozzarella, tangy Provolone, and Parmesan can be a good option. This way, you can still include Parmesan while benefiting from the bubbling effect of mozzarella and the flavour of Provolone.
If you want to stick to the traditional cheese options for Hunter's Chicken, you can still add Parmesan to the mix. Cheddar and mozzarella are commonly used, but you can grate or slice some Parmesan to add to the topping. This will give you the classic flavour of cheddar and mozzarella with an extra kick from the Parmesan.
If you are unsure about adding Parmesan directly to your Hunter's Chicken, you can always serve it on the side. Grate some Parmesan over your mashed potatoes or vegetables to add a cheesy twist to your sides.
Remember, Hunter's Chicken is a versatile dish, and you can customise it to your taste preferences. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses and combinations to find your ideal flavour profile.
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Frequently asked questions
A blend of grated mozzarella and mature cheddar cheese is a popular choice for hunters chicken as it creates a melty, gooey topping that adds a creamy richness to the dish.
Yes, you can use other cheeses such as crumbled Lancashire, Cheshire, Wensleydale, or Monterey Jack. If you're a blue cheese lover, crumbled Stilton is also an option.
Yes, you can use just mozzarella, but the dish may lack slightly in flavour.
You can use grated or sliced mozzarella. Grated mozzarella will melt better and give a nice stretch, whereas sliced mozzarella will give a bubbling effect.
The cheese goes on top of the BBQ sauce. You can also add cheese inside the chicken breast by making a slit along the centre and spooning grated cheese into the cavity.
