
Breadfruit Gnocchi in Recao Sofrito with Seared Chicken and Lime Butter
An original Puerto Rican recipe that turns breadfruit into tender, golden gnocchi, served with adobo-seasoned chicken, fragrant recao and sweet pepper sofrito, and a finishing touch of lime butter. Comforting, Caribbean, and distinctive.
Ingredients
- 500 g boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed (for dorar)
- 8 g Puerto Rican adobo seasoning (divided)
- 700 g breadfruit, peeled and cubed (without core duro)
- 125 g all-purpose flour (approx., more extra for espolvorear)
- 1 unit large egg (lightly beaten)
- 45 g unsalted butter (divided)
- 30 ml olive oil (divided)
- 120 g white onion, chopped
- 60 g sweet peppers, chopped (without semillas)
- 12 g garlic, minced
- 20 g fresh recao (culantro), chopped (packed and divided)
- 180 ml chicken broth
- 1 unit lime, zest and juice
- 80 g fresh white cheese, crumbled (for terminar)
- 3 g salt (or to taste)
- 1 g black pepper (or to taste)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Place the breadfruit in a pot with enough water to cover and a pinch of salt. Boil over medium-high heat for 18 to 22 minutes, until very tender. Drain well, let the steam escape for 5 minutes, and mash until smooth.
- 2
2. Transfer the breadfruit mash to a bowl and let cool for 10 minutes. Mix in the egg, 4 g (1/2 tbsp) of Puerto Rican adobo seasoning, 1 g (1/4 tsp) black pepper, and the all-purpose flour little by little until a soft, barely manageable dough forms. Do not overwork it.
- 3
3. On a floured surface, divide the dough into 4 portions. Roll each into ropes about 2 cm (3/4 in) thick and cut into small pieces to form the gnocchi. Set aside on a lightly floured tray.
- 4
4. Season the chicken cubes with the remaining 4 g (1/2 tbsp) adobo seasoning, salt, and a little black pepper.
- 5
5. Heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through. Remove and keep covered.
- 6
6. In the same skillet, reduce to medium heat and add the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil and 15 g (1 tbsp) butter. Add the onion, sweet peppers, and garlic. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- 7
7. Stir in half of the chopped recao, the chicken broth, lime zest, and 15 ml (1 tbsp) lime juice. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes to create a light, fragrant sofrito.
- 8
8. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, until they float. Lift them out with a slotted spoon and transfer directly to the skillet with the sofrito.
- 9
9. Add the remaining 30 g (2 tbsp) butter to the skillet and toss gently to coat the gnocchi. Cook for 2 minutes so they absorb flavor and lightly glaze.
- 10
10. Return the chicken to the skillet along with the remaining recao. Toss for 1 to 2 minutes until everything is hot and well combined. Adjust with more lime juice, salt, or black pepper if needed.
- 11
11. Serve immediately with the crumbled fresh white cheese on top. If you need to keep the dish warm before serving, place it in a 200°F / 95°C oven for up to 10 minutes.
Chef tips
If the breadfruit holds extra moisture, add the flour in small amounts until the dough can be shaped without becoming stiff. Boiling and then sautéing the gnocchi gives them a better texture than cooking them only in water.
Substitutions
You can use boneless chicken thigh instead of breast. Fresh white cheese can be replaced with mild feta, and recao can be replaced with cilantro if unavailable, though the flavor will be less traditionally Puerto Rican.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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