Cranberry Spinach Chicken Breasts Brie Recipe: A Festive Delight

Are you looking for a main dish that delivers a ‘wow’ factor without demanding hours in the kitchen? Something that can turn an ordinary evening meal into a memorable feast or stand proud as the centrepiece of your holiday spread? You’ve found it. We are thrilled to introduce our magnificent Cranberry Spinach Chicken Breasts Brie Recipe, a dish that harmonises sweet, savoury, and creamy notes in every forkful.

This dish is so much more than just a recipe; it’s a culinary experience. Picture slicing through a beautifully browned, tender chicken breast to find a luscious, molten core of creamy brie, sharp cranberries, and fresh spinach. It’s the type of meal that earns praise and makes any occasion feel special. Whether you’re crafting a romantic meal for two or seeking fresh christmas dinner ideas, this recipe is your perfect solution.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Flavourful: The blend of zesty cranberries, opulent brie, and wholesome spinach provides a wonderfully complex and utterly delicious taste that’s hard to resist.
• Looks Stunning, Yet is Easy to Make: It boasts a presentation worthy of a fine dining restaurant, yet our straightforward, step-by-step instructions make it achievable for home cooks of all abilities.
• Perfect for Special Occasions: This makes an exceptional main course for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any celebration. It has a luxurious feel without needing hours of complex preparation.
• Versatile and Customisable: Feel free to adapt the ingredients to your preferences. You could experiment with different cheeses, introduce a crunch with toasted nuts, or vary the herb combination.
• A Complete, Balanced Meal: By bringing together protein, dairy, fruit, and greens, this dish is both filling and nutritionally well-rounded. Simply pair it with a straightforward side dish to complete your plate.

Ingredients

• 4 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 200g each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 100g fresh spinach
• 75g dried cranberries
• 100g brie, rind removed and cubed
• 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp butter, melted

Mastering the Method: A Step-by-Step Guide

Putting together these gorgeous stuffed chicken breasts is wonderfully straightforward. We’ve laid out the process in easy-to-follow stages to guarantee flawless results every time. Let’s begin!

1. Prepare the Aromatic Filling

The core of this recipe is its delightful filling. Nailing this part is essential for that incredible burst of flavour.

1. In a medium-sized frying pan, heat the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until it has softened and turned translucent.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and continue to cook for another minute until it becomes fragrant. Take care to ensure it doesn’t brown.
3. Tip the fresh spinach into the pan, adding it in batches. It may seem like a large amount, but it will reduce significantly. Stir until all the spinach has wilted, which typically takes 2–3 minutes.
4. Take the pan off the heat. It’s vital to squeeze out all the surplus liquid from the spinach mixture; this prevents the stuffing from becoming soggy.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together the cooked spinach combination, dried cranberries, cubed brie, breadcrumbs, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir until all the elements are evenly distributed. This is your fabulous stuffing.

2. How to Prepare and Stuff the Chicken Breasts

Preparing the chicken correctly is the key to keeping the filling secure during baking, which creates that fantastic molten cheese reveal when you serve it.

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan / Gas Mark 6) and lightly greasing a baking dish.
2. Lay a chicken breast on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a pocket into the thickest edge of the breast. Be mindful not to slice all the way through to the other side or to the ends. You are essentially creating a pouch for the filling. Repeat this for the other chicken breasts. For different chicken inspiration, our Lemon Garlic Chicken provides a zesty alternative.
3. Carefully fill each chicken pocket with a generous amount of the cranberry, spinach, and brie filling. Try not to overstuff them, as the contents could escape during cooking.
4. Use one or two toothpicks to seal the opening of each chicken breast. This helps to hold the stuffing neatly inside. It’s our best tip for achieving a perfect presentation!

3. Cooking Your Cranberry Spinach Chicken Breasts Brie Recipe to Perfection

The last stage involves baking the chicken until it’s golden and cooked all the way through. This cooking method guarantees a succulent and tender result.

1. Place the prepared stuffed chicken breasts into your greased baking dish.
2. Using a pastry brush, coat the tops of the chicken with the melted butter. This step is key to achieving a lovely golden-brown finish and helps to keep the meat wonderfully moist.
3. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. The exact cooking time can vary based on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts.
4. You’ll know the chicken is ready when it’s golden-brown and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 74°C (165°F). For advice on cooking poultry to a safe temperature, we always refer to the guidance from the UK Food Standards Agency.
5. After baking, take the chicken out of the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before you serve it. This resting period allows the juices to settle, which makes the meat more tender and flavourful. And don’t forget to take out the toothpicks!

What to Serve with Your Cranberry Chicken

This adaptable cranberry chicken dish works beautifully with a whole host of side dishes. We’d love to help you create a complete and delicious meal. Here are some of our favourite suggestions:

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: A classic, comforting side of creamy mashed potatoes is perfect for catching any of the flavourful juices.
• Roasted Asparagus or Green Beans: Simple roasted asparagus or green beans add an elegant touch of colour and a satisfying crunch.
• Wild Rice Pilaf: The earthy taste of a wild rice pilaf beautifully complements the sweet and savoury elements of the chicken.
• A Simple Green Salad: A fresh, crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the main dish.

For anyone seeking another chicken dish that’s simple yet impressive, our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe is an excellent option that the whole family is sure to enjoy.

FAQ

A Truly Unforgettable Meal

Our Cranberry Spinach Chicken Breasts Brie Recipe is truly more than just a meal; it’s a celebration served on a plate. It’s a wonderful reminder that you don’t need to be a professional chef to produce a dish that’s both sophisticated and immensely satisfying. The wonderful balance of textures and the synergy of sweet, savoury, and creamy tastes make this a recipe you will return to time and time again.

We really hope you’ll give this recipe a try in your own kitchen. Whether you make it for a quiet weekend dinner or as the showstopper for a festive gathering, we’re sure it will quickly become a household favourite. Please let us know how you get on in the comments below – we always enjoy hearing about how our readers have personalised our recipes!

Recipe Card

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 200g each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 100g fresh spinach
• 75g dried cranberries
• 100g brie, rind removed and cubed
• 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C Fan / Gas Mark 6) and lightly grease a baking dish.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft (3-4 mins), then add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add spinach in batches, stirring until wilted. Remove from heat and squeeze out all excess liquid from the spinach mixture.
4. In a bowl, combine the spinach mixture, dried cranberries, cubed brie, breadcrumbs, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Cut a pocket into the thickest part of each chicken breast. Fill each pocket with the stuffing and secure the opening with toothpicks.
6. Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and brush the tops with melted butter.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through (reaches an internal temperature of 74°C / 165°F).
8. Remove from the oven, let rest for 5-10 minutes, and remove toothpicks before serving.

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 583,
Carbs: 20 g,
Protein: 73 g,
Fat: 24 g