Spinach & Cranberry Stuffed Chicken Breasts
A delicious weeknight meal featuring seared chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy mix of spinach, cream cheese, mozzarella, and dried cranberries. Quick to prepare and perfect for both family dinners and entertaining.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (About 6 ounces each)
- 1 cup fresh spinach (Chopped)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese (Softened)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (Chopped)
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (Minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (Optional)
- toothpicks or kitchen twine for securing
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.
- In a mixing bowl, combine chopped spinach, cream cheese, dried cranberries, mozzarella cheese, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and thyme (if using). Mix until well combined.
- Lay the chicken breasts flat on a cutting board. Place a generous spoonful of the spinach mixture in the center of each breast.
- Carefully fold the sides of the chicken over the filling and secure it with toothpicks or kitchen twine.
Cooking
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, sear the stuffed chicken breasts for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
- Transfer the seared chicken breasts to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Once cooked, remove the toothpicks or twine, let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve.
Notes
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a 325°F (160°C) oven for 10–15 minutes or microwave in short bursts until heated through. If freezing, wrap each breast tightly and freeze up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.