Criollo Chicken and Spinach Roll with Roasted Tomato Oregano Sauce and Rustic Sweet Potato Mash

Instructions

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   1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with a little of the olive oil.

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   2. Cook the sweet potatoes in a pot of salted water for 18 to 20 minutes, until very tender. Drain and set aside for the mash.

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   3. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds more.

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   4. Add the chopped fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted and reduced. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

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   5. In a bowl, combine the sautéed spinach with the onion and garlic, queso criollo, green olives, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, half of the dried oregano, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Mix well until you have a compact filling.

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   6. Butterfly the chicken breasts and gently flatten them. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and sweet paprika.

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   7. Divide the filling among the chicken breasts, roll them up carefully, and place them seam-side down in the baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

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   8. Arrange the Roma tomatoes around the chicken rolls, add the tomato purée over them, then season with the remaining dried oregano, a pinch of salt, black pepper, and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.

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   9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 400°F (200°C), until the chicken is cooked through and golden and the tomatoes are roasted and soft.

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    10. While the chicken bakes, mash the hot sweet potatoes with the butter and milk until rustic in texture. Adjust with salt and black pepper. Keep warm.

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    11. Remove the baking dish from the oven. Transfer the roasted tomatoes and tomato purée to a small saucepan or briefly blend them into a rustic oregano sauce; cook for 2 minutes if you want a more integrated texture.

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    12. Serve each chicken roll sliced thickly or whole, with the rustic sweet potato mash and the roasted tomato oregano sauce spooned over or alongside.