Description
This delightful Cranberry & Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Brie recipe combines tender chicken breasts with a flavorful filling of spinach, dried cranberries, and creamy brie cheese. Enhanced with garlic, fresh thyme, and a splash of balsamic vinegar, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, making it an ideal choice for a festive meal or an elegant dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Filling
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 4 ounces brie cheese, rind removed and sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Other
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine for securing
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken.
- Prepare chicken pockets: Using a sharp knife, carefully slice a pocket into the side of each chicken breast without cutting all the way through. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- Sauté spinach and garlic: In a skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Mix filling: To the sautéed spinach and garlic, stir in the dried cranberries, sliced brie cheese, fresh thyme, and balsamic vinegar. Mix gently to combine the filling ingredients.
- Stuff the chicken breasts: Spoon the prepared filling into the pockets of each chicken breast. Secure the openings with toothpicks or tie with kitchen twine to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Bake: Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a greased baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and the filling to set. Serve warm with your choice of sides.
Notes
- You can substitute goat cheese or mozzarella for brie if preferred for a different flavor profile.
- Serve with roasted vegetables or wild rice to make a complete and balanced meal.
- To prevent the filling from leaking during baking, avoid overstuffing the pockets and ensure they are securely sealed with toothpicks or twine.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
