Holiday Chicken Presents
Elevate your holiday table with these charming and delicious Holiday Chicken Presents—a festive dish guaranteed to impress! Juicy butterflied chicken breasts are stuffed with a luscious spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella filling, then wrapped in flaky puff pastry for a show-stopping main course. Seasoned to perfection and baked to golden-crisp perfection, these elegant "presents" are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Perfectly portioned for individual servings, they make an ideal centerpiece for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any special occasion. Garnish with fresh herbs or cranberries for an extra festive touch, and watch these savory parcels become the highlight of your holiday feast!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken breasts
- 2 sheets puff pastry sheets (thawed)
- 2 cups spinach (fresh or frozen, thawed and squeezed dry)
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 large egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter (for searing)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place each chicken breast on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, butterfly each piece by cutting it in half horizontally without cutting all the way through. Open each piece like a book and flatten it slightly with a meat mallet.
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the spinach to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wilted and excess moisture evaporates. Remove from heat.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked spinach, cream cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until well incorporated.
Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the cheese-spinach mixture into the center of each chicken breast. Fold the chicken around the filling to seal it, securing if necessary with a toothpick. Set aside.
Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets on a floured surface. Cut each sheet into two equal rectangles, resulting in four pieces in total.
Place a stuffed chicken breast in the center of each puff pastry rectangle. Fold the pastry up and around the chicken, completely enclosing it, and press the edges to seal. Use any extra pastry to create decorative ribbons or bows for a festive look.
Brush the outside of each pastry-wrapped chicken present with the beaten egg to create a golden, shiny finish.
Transfer the wrapped chicken presents to the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Remove from the oven and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve each 'present' as a festive centerpiece on a plate, optionally garnished with fresh herbs or cranberries for extra holiday flair. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1242 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 75.1 g | 96% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.0 g | 135% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 262 mg | 87% | |
| Sodium | 1273 mg | 55% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 62.0 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.7 g | ||
| Protein | 75.1 g | 150% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 346 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 7.2 mg | 40% | |
| Potassium | 1014 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
