Golden chicken ballotine sliced to reveal a mushroom duxelles filling, plated with truffle mushroom sauce, a Parmesan tuile, and edible flowers on a fine dining plate.

Indulge in the elegance of Chicken Ballotine with Mushroom Sauce, a dish that combines precision, flavor, and luxury plating. This gourmet dish features tender, rolled chicken, stuffed with a rich wild mushroom duxelles, then gently poached and seared to a golden-brown perfection. Served with a silky truffle-infused mushroom sauce, a smooth potato purée quenelle, and finished with a delicate Parmesan tuile, this dish is a true masterpiece of French fine dining.

Let’s walk through the ingredients and step-by-step techniques to craft this stunningly plated dish.


Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather these high-quality ingredients to create a restaurant-worthy chicken ballotine.

For the Chicken Ballotine:

  • 2 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts
  • 4 oz wild mushrooms (chanterelle, shiitake, or cremini), finely chopped
  • 1 shallot, finely diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp truffle oil (optional)
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Plastic wrap & kitchen twine (for rolling and cooking)

For the Mushroom Sauce:

  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup white wine or Madeira wine
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp truffle paste or truffle oil
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Plating & Garnishes:

  • Parmesan tuile (grated Parmesan, baked until crisp)
  • Potato purée quenelle
  • Wild mushrooms, lightly sautéed
  • Microgreens or edible flowers

Step 1: Prepare the Mushroom Duxelles Filling

The mushroom duxelles is a finely chopped, sautéed mixture that gives the ballotine its deep, earthy flavor.

Ingredients Used in This Step:

Wild mushrooms, shallots, garlic, butter, truffle oil, thyme, salt, and pepper

Method:

  1. Sauté the Shallots & Garlic: In a pan over medium heat, melt butter, then add shallots and garlic. Sauté until translucent.
  2. Add the Mushrooms & Herbs: Stir in finely chopped wild mushrooms and thyme. Cook until the mushrooms release moisture and turn golden brown.
  3. Finish with Truffle Oil: Remove from heat and mix in truffle oil for extra depth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Cool the Mixture: Let the filling cool before stuffing the chicken.

💡 Pro Tip: Cooking the mushrooms until all moisture evaporates prevents a watery filling inside the ballotine.


Step 2: Roll & Cook the Chicken Ballotine

Rolling the chicken tightly creates its signature smooth, cylindrical shape.

Ingredients Used in This Step:

Chicken breasts, mushroom duxelles, plastic wrap, kitchen twine

Method:

  1. Butterfly the Chicken: Place the chicken breast skin-side down, and slice horizontally (without cutting through) to create a thin, even layer.
  2. Add the Filling: Spread a thin layer of the mushroom duxelles over the chicken.
  3. Roll Tightly: Roll the chicken into a compact log shape, wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap. Secure the ends like a candy wrapper.
  4. Poach the Ballotine: In a pot of simmering water (165°F/74°C), gently cook the wrapped ballotine for 20-25 minutes.
  5. Sear for a Crispy Exterior: Remove from the wrap, pat dry, and sear in butter until the skin turns golden brown and crisp.

💡 Pro Tip: Chilling the wrapped ballotine in the fridge for 10 minutes before poaching helps maintain its shape.


Step 3: Prepare the Mushroom Sauce

This luxurious truffle-infused sauce enhances the dish with depth and richness.

Ingredients Used in This Step:

Chicken stock, heavy cream, white wine, truffle paste, butter, salt, and pepper

Method:

  1. Deglaze with Wine: In a saucepan over medium heat, add white wine and reduce by half.
  2. Add Stock & Reduce: Stir in chicken stock and let it simmer until slightly thickened.
  3. Finish with Cream & Truffle: Lower the heat, add heavy cream, and whisk in truffle paste for an ultra-silky texture.
  4. Emulsify with Butter: Remove from heat and whisk in cold butter to create a glossy, rich sauce.

💡 Pro Tip: Strain the sauce for an ultra-smooth fine dining finish.


Step 4: Plate with Fine Dining Elegance

Plating transforms this dish into a Michelin-star-worthy masterpiece.

Ingredients Used in This Step:

Parmesan tuile, potato purée, sautéed wild mushrooms, microgreens

Method:

  1. Sauce First: Use a plating spoon to drag a delicate streak of mushroom sauce across the plate.
  2. Slice & Arrange the Ballotine: Cut the chicken ballotine into perfect medallions, showcasing its beautiful spiral filling, and place it neatly over the sauce.
  3. Add the Garnishes:
    • Place a quenelle of potato purée beside the chicken.
    • Gently lean a crispy Parmesan tuile against the ballotine for height and texture contrast.
    • Scatter a few sautéed wild mushrooms around the plate for an organic, earthy element.
    • Finish with microgreens or an edible flower for color contrast.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep plating minimal yet intentional, letting each element stand out.


Why You’ll Love This Dish

✨ Elegant & Flavorful – The tender chicken, earthy mushroom filling, and rich truffle sauce create a gourmet dining experience.

✨ Restaurant-Worthy Plating – With its silky sauce, golden-crisped exterior, and Parmesan tuile, this dish looks as stunning as it tastes.

✨ A Culinary Showstopper – Impress guests with a fine dining classic that’s both sophisticated and accessible.


Pairing Suggestions

Enhance the Chicken Ballotine with Mushroom Sauce with these perfect pairings:

🍷 White Wine – A buttery Chardonnay or aged Viognier complements the creamy sauce and earthy mushrooms.

🍷 Red Wine – A light Pinot Noir or Beaujolais enhances the chicken’s richness without overpowering it.

🥗 Side Dish Pairing – Serve with baby arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or roasted heirloom carrots for a fresh contrast.


Share Your Creation

We’d love to see your beautifully plated Chicken Ballotine with Mushroom Sauce! Share your gourmet plating on Pinterest, Instagram, or social media using #BeyondEveryBite, and you could be featured in our next article.


Final Thoughts

Chicken Ballotine with Mushroom Sauce is a true fine dining classic, combining precise technique, rich flavors, and stunning plating. Whether you’re hosting an elegant dinner party or perfecting your culinary artistry, this dish is guaranteed to elevate your plating skills.

✨ Plate with precision, embrace the art of fine dining, and savor every bite.

Bon appétit! 🍽️🔥