Cranberry & Spinach Stuffed Chicken with Brie

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🍗🧀🍒 Cranberry & Spinach Stuffed Chicken with Brie

Serves: 4

🥣 Ingredients

Chicken

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1–2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)

Stuffing

  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
  • 4 oz brie cheese, sliced (rind optional)
  • 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • Pinch of salt & pepper

Optional Glaze (highly recommended!)

  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard

👩‍🍳 Full Recipe Instructions

1. Prepare the stuffing

  1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
  3. Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted (1–2 minutes).
  4. Stir in dried cranberries, a pinch of salt, and pepper.
  5. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

2. Prepare the chicken

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry.
  2. With a sharp knife, cut a pocket into the thickest side of each breast (don’t cut through).
  3. Season outside and inside of each breast with:
    • salt
    • pepper
    • garlic powder
    • paprika

3. Stuff the chicken

  1. Place slices of brie inside each pocket.
  2. Add a generous spoonful of the cranberry-spinach mixture.
  3. Secure with toothpicks if needed.

4. Sear

  1. Heat 1–2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Sear stuffed chicken 2–3 minutes per side until browned (don’t cook through yet).

5. Bake

Transfer the chicken to a baking dish or oven-safe skillet.

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes,
or until internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).

6. Optional balsamic glaze

While the chicken bakes (or right before serving):

  1. In a small pan, whisk together
    • balsamic vinegar
    • honey/maple
    • Dijon mustard
  2. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  3. Drizzle over the chicken before serving.

🍽️ Serve With

  • Roasted vegetables
  • Garlic mashed potatoes
  • Wild rice
  • A fresh green salad
  • Cauliflower mash (low-carb option)

🌟 Variations

Apple Brie Stuffing:

Swap cranberries for diced apples sautéed in butter.

Goat Cheese Version:

Use goat cheese instead of brie for tangier flavor.

Holiday Version:

Add chopped pecans to the stuffing for festive crunch.

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