Description
Delight in festive flavors with these Christmas Stuffed Chicken Breasts filled with savory cranberry sauce, creamy brie cheese, and sautéed spinach, perfect for a special holiday dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (divided)
Filling
- 2 tablespoons diced shallot
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 2 cups (lightly packed) baby spinach (roughly chopped)
- ¼ cup cranberry sauce
- 3 ounces brie cheese (sliced)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with kosher salt, dried thyme, and ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Make a pocket: Using a sharp knife, slice each chicken breast nearly in half horizontally, being careful not to cut through completely, creating a pocket for the filling. Set aside.
- Sauté the spinach: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add diced shallot and minced garlic, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chopped baby spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until wilted, then remove from heat.
- Stuff the chicken: Spoon 2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce into the pocket of each chicken breast. Evenly distribute the sautéed spinach mixture inside, then top with 1.5 ounces of sliced brie cheese per breast. Secure the pockets with 3 to 4 toothpicks to keep the filling in place during cooking.
- Cook the chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large oven-safe pan over medium heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (73°C).
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Remove toothpicks carefully and serve warm with your favorite sides to complete this elegant holiday meal.
Notes
- This recipe makes a perfect festive main course for Christmas or any special occasion.
- Use fresh baby spinach for best flavor; frozen spinach can be substituted if well-drained.
- If brie cheese is unavailable, a creamy camembert or mild goat cheese can be used instead.
- Be sure not to cut fully through the chicken breasts to keep the filling intact during cooking.
- Use an oven-safe skillet or transfer cooked chicken to a baking dish if your pan is not oven-safe.
- Serve with roasted vegetables or a simple green salad for a well-rounded meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 577 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 1171 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
