Description
Cranberry Brie Stuffed Chicken: Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with creamy Brie cheese and tangy cranberries. Elegant, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz each)
- 8 oz brie cheese, rind removed and cut into 4 equal portions
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped (or 3/4 cup fresh cranberries)
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze (optional, for serving)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Butterfly each chicken breast by placing your hand flat on top of the chicken and carefully slicing horizontally through the thickest part, stopping about 1/4 inch from the edge to create a pocket. Gently pound the chicken to even thickness if needed. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Create the Filling In a small bowl, combine the chopped cranberries, 1 tablespoon of thyme leaves, minced garlic, honey, and orange zest. Stir to combine, allowing the flavors to meld together. This mixture will complement the creaminess of the brie with bright, aromatic notes.
- Step 3: Stuff the Chicken Open each chicken breast and place a portion of brie in the center of one side. Top the brie with about 2 tablespoons of the cranberry mixture. Fold the empty side of the chicken over the filling, pressing the edges together. Secure with toothpicks to keep the filling from leaking during cooking.
- Step 4: Sear the Chicken Heat the olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the stuffed chicken breasts and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. You might need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which would prevent proper browning.
- Step 5: Finish in the Oven Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The exact time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts, so using a meat thermometer is recommended for perfect results.
- Step 6: Rest and Serve Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and the filling to set slightly. Remove the toothpicks, drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired, and sprinkle with the remaining thyme leaves for a fresh finish.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 135mg