Blackberry Jalapeno Stuffed Chicken (Printable)
Chicken breasts filled with blackberry, goat cheese, and jalapeno, baked until golden and melty.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - Salt and pepper to taste
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Stuffing Mixture
04 - 4 oz goat cheese, softened
05 - 1/2 cup fresh blackberries, halved and roughly chopped
06 - 1 fresh jalapeño, seeds removed, finely diced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon honey
→ Topping
09 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, cut a pocket lengthwise into each breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. Season inside and out with salt and pepper.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, combine softened goat cheese, halved blackberries, finely diced jalapeño, chopped basil, and honey. Gently fold together until evenly incorporated.
04 - Spoon the blackberry-jalapeño mixture generously into each chicken breast pocket. Secure the openings with toothpicks to keep filling enclosed during cooking.
05 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear stuffed chicken breasts for about 2 minutes per side until a golden crust forms.
06 - Transfer seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish. Top each breast evenly with shredded mozzarella and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
07 - Bake for 22-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and cheese is bubbly and melted.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes. Carefully remove toothpicks and serve warm, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy goat cheese melts into the blackberries creating a sweet and savory filling that tastes far more complicated than it actually is.
- Jalapeno adds just enough warmth to make each bite interesting without overwhelming anyone at the table.
- It looks like something you would order at a nice restaurant but comes together with grocery store ingredients and about twenty minutes of prep.
02 -
- Do not rush the searing step because that golden crust is what holds the chicken together and keeps the filling from leaking out during baking.
- Overcooking is the biggest enemy here so pull the chicken from the oven the moment it hits 74 degrees Celsius and carryover heat will finish the job.
03 -
- Toothpicks are your best friend here so use them liberally and count how many go in so you know how many to remove before serving.
- Pressing down gently on each stuffed breast before searing helps the filling settle evenly and prevents bulging in the pan.