Blackberry Jalapeno Stuffed Chicken (Printer-Friendly)
Juicy chicken breasts filled with goat cheese, blackberries, and jalapeno, baked until golden and melty.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Stuffing Mixture
04 - 4 oz goat cheese, softened
05 - 1/2 cup fresh blackberries, halved and roughly chopped
06 - 1 fresh jalapeño, seeds removed, finely diced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon honey
→ Baking
09 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep pocket lengthwise into each breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. Season the inside and outside generously with salt and pepper.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, halved blackberries, diced jalapeño, chopped basil, and honey. Fold gently until evenly incorporated.
04 - Spoon the blackberry-jalapeño mixture into each chicken breast pocket, dividing evenly. Press gently to close and secure openings with toothpicks if needed.
05 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for about 2 minutes per side until a golden crust forms.
06 - Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish. Top each breast with shredded mozzarella and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
07 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
08 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully remove toothpicks before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- That sweet and spicy combo tucked inside juicy chicken feels like a restaurant secret you accidentally stumbled into at home.
- It looks wildly impressive but the whole thing comes together in under an hour with ingredients you probably already have.
02 -
- Do not skip the searing step because that golden crust is what locks in moisture and gives the chicken its beautiful presentation.
- If your goat cheese is cold it will not blend with the berries, so patience with softening it actually saves you time and frustration later.
03 -
- Use a spoon handle or your finger to really open the pocket wide before stuffing, because underfilled chicken is a sadness you can easily avoid.
- Letting the chicken rest is not optional here, as those three minutes mean the difference between a tidy plate and a juicy mess everywhere.