Cranberry & Spinach Stuffed Chicken with Brie Recipe
This Cranberry & Spinach Stuffed Chicken with Brie is a delightful blend of savory and sweet flavors wrapped in tender, juicy chicken breasts. Stuffed with a creamy brie, fresh spinach, and tangy dried cranberries, this dish offers a perfect balance of textures and tastes, enhanced by aromatic garlic and thyme. The chicken is seared to golden perfection then baked to ensure it’s moist and flavorful, making it an impressive yet approachable main course for any dinner occasion.
- Author: Ava
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine (for securing the chicken)
Filling
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup brie cheese, rind removed and cubed
- ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For Baking
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken breasts.
- Prepare the Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. This step infuses the filling with rich garlic flavor.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, approximately 2 minutes. Remove the mixture from heat.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the sautéed spinach and garlic with the chopped dried cranberries and cubed brie cheese until well combined, creating a flavorful stuffing.
- Prepare Chicken: Carefully slice a pocket into the side of each chicken breast, ensuring not to cut all the way through, which will allow for stuffing without spilling.
- Stuff the Chicken: Fill each chicken breast pocket with the cranberry-spinach-brie mixture. Secure the openings with toothpicks or kitchen twine to keep the filling inside while cooking.
- Season: Season the stuffed chicken breasts on both sides with salt, black pepper, and thyme to enhance the flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. This locks in juices and adds a flavorful crust.
- Bake: Pour chicken broth around the chicken in the skillet to keep the meat moist. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender chicken when served.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken breasts are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- You can substitute brie with cream cheese or goat cheese for a different flavor profile.
- If you don’t have fresh thyme, dried thyme works perfectly as a substitute.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness for perfectly cooked chicken.
- Serving suggestion: Pair this dish with roasted vegetables or a light salad.
Keywords: Stuffed Chicken, Cranberry Chicken, Spinach Stuffed Chicken, Brie Chicken, Baked Chicken, Holiday Chicken Recipe, Chicken Breast Recipe