Cranberry Spinach Stuffed Chicken (Printable Version)
Spinach, cream cheese, feta and cranberries tucked into chicken breasts, baked until tender for a festive main.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Filling
02 - 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
03 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
04 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
05 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
→ Seasoning
10 - 1 teaspoon paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°F). Line a baking dish with parchment paper or grease lightly.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic and spinach until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
03 - In a mixing bowl, blend sautéed spinach, cream cheese, feta cheese, and chopped cranberries. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and mix until fully combined.
04 - With a sharp knife, carefully cut a pocket into the thickest side of each chicken breast, ensuring not to slice all the way through.
05 - Evenly distribute the spinach-cranberry filling into the pocket of each chicken breast. Secure openings with toothpicks if necessary.
06 - Mix paprika, dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Brush chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle seasoning evenly over both sides.
07 - Place prepared chicken breasts in the baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear.
08 - Remove toothpicks, allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Top Tips:
01 -
- The creamy and tangy filling feels like a festive secret tucked inside juicy chicken.
- Dried cranberries bring a pop of sweetness that balances the savory richness, and the impressive presentation is way easier than it looks.
02 -
- If you overstuff the chicken, the filling will spill out—hold back just a bit for neater results.
- Letting the chicken rest really does keep it from drying out; don&apo;t rush to cut it open.
03 -
- If your filling is too stiff, microwaving it for ten seconds smooths everything together fast.
- Covering loosely with foil during the last ten minutes of baking can help keep the cheese from browning too much on top.