Cranberry Spinach Stuffed Chicken (Printer-Friendly)
Tender chicken breasts stuffed with creamy spinach, feta, and dried cranberries—baked until golden for a festive main.
# What You'll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Filling
02 - 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
03 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
04 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
05 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
→ Seasoning
10 - 1 teaspoon paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
# How-To Steps:
01 - Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a skillet, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped spinach, sautéing until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine sautéed spinach, softened cream cheese, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped dried cranberries. Add 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix well until evenly incorporated.
04 - With a sharp knife, create a pocket in the thickest part of each chicken breast, taking care not to slice all the way through.
05 - Spoon the cranberry-spinach filling evenly into each chicken breast pocket. Secure openings with toothpicks if needed.
06 - In a small bowl, blend paprika, dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Brush the chicken breasts on all sides with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then sprinkle with the prepared seasoning.
07 - Transfer stuffed chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached and juices run clear.
08 - Remove toothpicks and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The creamy, tangy filling tucked inside the chicken is a secret that takes simple weeknights to holiday-worthy heights.
- It’s one of those recipes everyone thinks is much harder than it truly is, making you look instantly impressive without the stress.
02 -
- One time, I tried rushing the stuffing stage and the filling mostly escaped, so take a minute here—it's worth it.
- Letting the chicken rest after baking is a small pause that prevents all the delicious juices from running out.
03 -
- Softening the cream cheese ahead makes the filling blend so much more easily and saves a lumpy mess.
- Securing the pockets with toothpicks at an angle keeps the filling from escaping and makes removal easier later.