4 poussin
salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 shallots, chopped
2 ounces wild mushroom, chopped
1/2 cup chestnuts, cooked and chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted and chopped
1 black truffle, cleaned and chopped (optional)
1/4 cup Cognac
1 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup herbs, such as parsley, chives and chervil, chopped
8 ounces butter, softened
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken stock
Preheat oven to 375′F
Rinse the chicken in and out, and pat dry with paper towels. With gloves on, gently work your fingers in between the skin and the flesh of the chicken to create a pocket.
Place the stuffing (see below) in a piping bag with a 1/2 inch round tip and pipe the mixture evenly under the skin of the chicken making sure to pipe some around the thighs area as well. Press the stuffing down to even it out. Tight the chicken and place it on a roasting pan. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and brush with a little melted butter.
Roast the chicken for 1 hour (the internal temperature should reach 165′F), basting with the pan drippings every 20 minutes. Let the chicken rest 10 minutes before carving. Serve with the chicken jus on the side (see below).
For the stuffing:
Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a pan. Add the chopped mushrooms and saute until tender. Add the chopped chestnuts and saute a few minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Remove to a bowl. In the same pan, melt 1 more tablespoon of butter and add the shallots and garlic. Saute until tender but not colored. Carefully deglaze with the Cognac (be careful, it will flame up!). Simmer until nearly dry. Add to the mushroom/chestnut mixture and let it cool. Add the black truffle now if using. Add the pine nuts, panko, herbs and remaining softened butter and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
For the chicken jus:
Degrease the roasting pan except for 2 tablespoons of fat and add the flour. Place the roasting pan over a medium fire and cook the roux for a few minutes. Deglaze with chicken stock and bring to a simmer, scraping down the bottom of the roasting pan. Simmer until the chicken jus is reduced and thickened. Strain. Check seasoning and serve with the roasted chicken.