Blackberry Jalapeno Stuffed Chicken (Printable)
Cream cheese and blackberry stuffed chicken with jalapeno, baked until golden and melty.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken & Filling
01 - 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - ½ cup fresh blackberries, slightly mashed
04 - 1 medium jalapeño, finely diced (seeds removed for milder heat)
05 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
→ Seasoning & Finishing
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
11 - ½ tsp dried thyme
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mashed blackberries, diced jalapeño, shredded mozzarella, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and evenly blended.
03 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice a horizontal pocket into the thickest part of each breast, stopping before cutting all the way through.
04 - Generously fill each chicken pocket with the blackberry-jalapeño cheese mixture. Secure the openings with toothpicks if necessary to keep the filling enclosed.
05 - Brush both sides of each stuffed chicken breast with olive oil. Evenly sprinkle with smoked paprika, dried thyme, and additional salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the filling is bubbly and melted.
07 - Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. Remove any toothpicks and plate alongside a simple salad or roasted vegetables.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast of jammy blackberries and sharp jalapeno creates a sauce inside the chicken that feels almost magical when you cut into it.
- It looks incredibly impressive but the whole thing comes together with a mixing bowl and a baking dish.
02 -
- Overstuffing the pockets will cause the filling to leak out during baking so use restraint even though it is tempting to pack in more.
- A meat thermometer is your best friend here because the filling makes it hard to judge doneness by sight alone.
03 -
- Freeze the stuffed chicken breasts on a sheet pan before transferring to a freezer bag so you can bake one at a time on busy nights straight from frozen with ten extra minutes.
- A glass of Sauvignon Blanc or a fruity rose alongside this dish makes the whole meal feel like a special occasion.