Brazilian recipe
Creamy Chicken Croquettes with Minas Cheese (Bolinhas de frango cremosas com queijo minas)
A comforting homemade recipe featuring soft potato dough stuffed with shredded chicken and gooey Minas cheese, baked in a rich creamy sauce.
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Ingredients
1 kg chicken breast
1 kg potatoes
1 pinch salt (for boiling chicken)
Salt to taste (for boiling potatoes)
1 tablespoon butter
1 whole egg
1 pinch grated nutmeg
Cornstarch as needed for binding
1 can tomato sauce
1 can heavy cream
50 g grated parmesan cheese
500 g fresh Minas cheese
Black olives, chopped (optional)
Oregano to taste
1 kg potatoes
1 pinch salt (for boiling chicken)
Salt to taste (for boiling potatoes)
1 tablespoon butter
1 whole egg
1 pinch grated nutmeg
Cornstarch as needed for binding
1 can tomato sauce
1 can heavy cream
50 g grated parmesan cheese
500 g fresh Minas cheese
Black olives, chopped (optional)
Oregano to taste
Where to find ingredients
Find fresh chicken and seasonal potatoes in the produce or meat sections of your local supermarket. Use cornstarch (often labeled as corn flour in some regions) and heavy cream from the baking or dairy aisles. Minas cheese is a specialty item; if unavailable, a mild, semi-soft white cheese with a similar melt-point, like farmer's cheese or a mild queso fresco, can be used as a substitute.
Preparation method
- Boil the chicken breast in water with a pinch of salt until tender, then drain, shred, and set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine the shredded chicken with the tomato sauce and cook for a few minutes; set aside.
- Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are very tender.
- Drain the potatoes and mash them while still hot using a potato ricer or fork.
- Add the butter, egg, grated nutmeg, and salt to taste to the mashed potatoes.
- Gradually incorporate the cornstarch, mixing until you achieve a firm, pliable dough that is easy to shape.
- Form the potato dough into small balls.
- Cut the Minas cheese into small cubes.
- Stuff each potato ball with a cube of Minas cheese and, if desired, some chopped black olives.
- Seal the balls tightly to ensure the filling stays inside during the cooking process.
- Arrange the stuffed potato balls in a baking dish, forming a circle.
- Place the chicken and tomato sauce mixture in the center of the dish, between the croquettes.
- Pour the heavy cream evenly over the balls and the chicken.
- Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the top.
- Season with oregano to taste.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Observations
These creamy chicken croquettes are a staple in Brazilian kitchens, offering a savory and practical appetizer perfect for family gatherings, parties, or a hearty snack. The dish consists of delicate potato-based croquettes, stuffed with seasoned shredded chicken and authentic Minas cheese, then nestled in a rich, creamy tomato sauce and finished under the broiler until golden brown. This dish is the ultimate comfort food, blending the soft texture of potatoes with a juicy, cheesy interior.
Surprise your guests with these irresistible morsels that balance the lightness of potatoes with the richness of the cheese and sauce-based topping.
Surprise your guests with these irresistible morsels that balance the lightness of potatoes with the richness of the cheese and sauce-based topping.
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