Blackberry Jalapeno Stuffed Chicken (Printable version)

Juicy chicken breasts filled with goat cheese, blackberries, and jalapeno, baked until golden and melty.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 or roughly chopped
06 - 1 fresh jalapeño, seeds removed, finely diced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon honey

→ Baking

09 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the 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 without cutting all the way through. Season the inside and outside generously with salt and pepper.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, halved blackberries, diced jalapeño, chopped basil, and honey. Gently fold the mixture together until well incorporated.
04 - Spoon the blackberry-jalapeño filling evenly into each chicken breast pocket. Secure the openings with toothpicks to keep the stuffing inside during cooking.
05 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for about 2 minutes per side until a golden crust forms.
06 - Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish. Top each breast evenly with shredded mozzarella and drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
07 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
08 - Let the chicken rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully remove toothpicks and serve warm, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The creamy goat cheese and sweet tart blackberries create a flavor combination that surprises everyone at the table.
  • It sounds fancy but the whole thing comes together in under an hour with everyday ingredients.
02 -
  • Do not skip the searing step, because that golden crust locks in moisture and gives the outside a texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft filling.
  • If your goat cheese is too cold it will tear the blackberries apart when you mix them, so patience with softening really pays off.
03 -
  • Use a spoon to stuff the chicken rather than your fingers, because warm hands soften the goat cheese too fast and the filling becomes harder to control.
  • If you want extra punch, reserve a few pieces of raw jalapeno and scatter them on top with the mozzarella before baking.

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