Spinach & Cranberry Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipe
A delicious and elegant Spinach & Cranberry Stuffed Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts filled with a creamy mixture of spinach, cream cheese, dried cranberries, and mozzarella. The chicken is first seared to develop a golden crust then baked to juicy perfection, resulting in a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors ideal for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
- 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)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine for securing
Stuffing
- 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)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature while you prepare the chicken.
- Pound Chicken: Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This helps them cook evenly and makes rolling easier.
- Prepare Stuffing: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped spinach, softened cream cheese, dried cranberries, shredded mozzarella, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme if using. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Stuff Chicken: Lay the flattened chicken breasts flat on a cutting board. Spoon a generous amount of the spinach mixture onto the center of each breast.
- Secure Chicken: Carefully fold the sides of each chicken breast over the filling to enclose it. Use toothpicks or kitchen twine to secure the edges so the filling stays inside during cooking.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. When hot, place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a nice golden brown crust.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to a baking dish. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Remove toothpicks or twine and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps retain juices and keeps the filling intact.
Notes
- Make sure not to overstuff the chicken breasts to prevent filling from spilling out during cooking.
- If you don’t have fresh spinach, frozen spinach thoroughly drained works as a substitute.
- You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins or chopped dried cherries for a different fruit flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked but not overdone.
- Allow the chicken to rest after baking for best juiciness and flavor.
Keywords: spinach stuffed chicken, cranberry chicken breast, cream cheese chicken, baked stuffed chicken, healthy chicken recipes
