Blackberry Jalapeno Stuffed Chicken (Print Version)
Cream cheese, blackberry, and jalapeno stuffed chicken baked until golden, tender, and irresistibly 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 teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Seasoning & Finishing
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
12 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line it 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 incorporated.
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 needed to keep the filling enclosed.
05 - Brush both sides of each stuffed chicken breast with olive oil. Evenly sprinkle with smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
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.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy tangy filling oozes out when you cut into it and that surprise factor alone is worth making it.
- Sweet heat is one of those flavor combos that makes people close their eyes and go quiet at the dinner table.
02 -
- Overstuffing the pockets will cause the filling to leak out entirely during baking so be generous but not reckless.
- A meat thermometer is your best friend here because chicken looks done before it actually is done and nobody wants that surprise.
03 -
- Freeze the stuffed breasts for twenty minutes before baking so they hold their shape and the filling stays put inside.
- A pinch of honey mixed into the filling balances the jalapeno heat and makes the blackberry flavor sing even louder.