Spinach & Cranberry Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipe
This Spinach & Cranberry Stuffed Chicken Breasts recipe features tender chicken breasts filled with a flavorful mix of fresh spinach, cream cheese, dried cranberries, and mozzarella. The chicken is first seared to a golden brown then baked to perfection, resulting in a juicy, savory, and slightly sweet dish perfect for a comforting dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
Filling
- 1 cup fresh spinach (chopped)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (chopped)
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine for securing the chicken
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure a perfect baking temperature for the stuffed chicken breasts.
- Pound the Chicken: Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch to allow for even cooking and easier rolling.
- Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine chopped spinach, softened cream cheese, chopped dried cranberries, shredded mozzarella cheese, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme if using. Mix until well incorporated.
- Stuff the Chicken: Lay each chicken breast flat on a cutting board. Spoon a generous amount of the filling mixture into the center of each breast.
- Secure the Chicken: Carefully fold the sides of the chicken over the filling and secure each breast with toothpicks or kitchen twine to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) indicating they are fully cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the toothpicks or twine, let the chicken rest a few minutes to retain juices, then slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- To make cleanup easier, line the baking dish with foil or parchment paper.
- You can substitute dried cranberries with other dried fruits like chopped apricots or cherries for a different flavor.
- If preferred, fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can be used instead of dried thyme.
- Searing the chicken first helps to lock in moisture and adds a delicious crispy exterior before baking.
Keywords: stuffed chicken breasts, spinach stuffed chicken, cranberry chicken, baked chicken recipe, creamy spinach chicken, holiday chicken dish
