If you’re craving a dish that perfectly balances savory, sweet, and a touch of elegance, the Maple Glazed Apple and Brie Stuffed Chicken Recipe is your new go-to. This recipe features tender chicken breasts loaded with creamy brie and crisp slices of honeycrisp apple, all finished with a luscious maple glaze that adds richness and warmth. It’s a delightful combination that’s surprisingly simple to make but impressive enough to excite any dinner guest or cozy family meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward, each bringing its own magic to this recipe. From juicy apples adding freshness and crunch, to the buttery brie creating luscious creaminess, every item plays a key role in making this dish unforgettable.
- 4 boneless chicken breasts: The perfect vehicle for stuffing, they cook up tender and juicy.
- 1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced: Adds a crisp, sweet-tart contrast that brightens the dish.
- 4 ounces brie cheese, thinly sliced: Brings creamy richness that melts beautifully inside the chicken.
- 1 cup apple cider or juice: Forms the flavorful base of the maple glaze, enhancing the apple notes.
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup: Provides a natural sweet glaze with a warm, deep flavor.
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic: Adds savory depth and aromatic lift to the glaze.
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard: Gives a subtle tang and complexity to balance sweetness.
- Fresh thyme: Offers an herby, fragrant touch that pairs wonderfully with apple and brie.
How to Make Maple Glazed Apple and Brie Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Chicken
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even cooking. Next, take each boneless chicken breast and butterfly it by slicing horizontally almost all the way through, then open it like a book. Season the inside of each breast generously with salt and pepper. This seasoning step is key to enhancing all the layers of flavor.
Step 2: Stuff the Chicken
Now, gently layer thin slices of honeycrisp apple and brie cheese inside the butterflied chicken breasts. The crispness of the apple contrasts beautifully with the gooey brie, creating a symphony of textures and flavors. Once filled, carefully fold the chicken back over to encase the filling, getting ready for the next step.
Step 3: Bake the Chicken
Place the stuffed chicken breasts on your prepared baking sheet. Bake them in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they’re nearly cooked through. This slow bake ensures the chicken cooks evenly, while allowing the brie to melt and the apple to soften slightly without losing its bite.
Step 4: Make the Maple Glaze
While the chicken is baking, combine the apple cider, maple syrup, minced garlic, dijon mustard, and fresh thyme in a small skillet. Simmer gently until the mixture thickens into a rich glaze. This glaze adds a golden sheen and a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and herbal notes that elevate the dish to something truly special.
Step 5: Glaze and Broil for the Final Touch
Once the chicken breasts are nearly done, brush the maple glaze generously over each one. Then switch your oven to broil and cook for an additional 10 to 12 minutes. This final blast of heat caramelizes the glaze and finishes cooking the chicken to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The result is a beautifully glossy, flavorful crust that’s irresistible.
Step 6: Serve Warm and Drizzle Extra Glaze
Serve your stuffed chicken warm, with some of the extra maple glaze drizzled on top for that extra touch of sweetness and shine. This is the moment where aroma and presentation come together to delight your senses.
How to Serve Maple Glazed Apple and Brie Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves or a light scattering of chopped toasted walnuts provides an added crunch and herbal brightness. A few thin apple slices arranged on the plate echo the filling and amp up visual appeal, making each bite as gorgeous as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This chicken pairs beautifully with simple, comforting sides. Creamy mashed potatoes soak up the maple glaze perfectly, while a fresh green salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness. Roasted root vegetables or steamed green beans also offer color, texture, and balance on the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, slice the stuffed chicken breasts crosswise to reveal the beautiful layers of apple and brie inside. Serve them stacked or fanned on a platter garnished with thyme sprigs for an elegant presentation. Drizzle the glaze artfully around the plate to bring your Maple Glazed Apple and Brie Stuffed Chicken Recipe to life stunningly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover maple glazed stuffed chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Making sure it’s well wrapped helps retain moisture and flavor, so it stays just as delicious when reheated.
Freezing
If you want to prepare this recipe in advance, you can freeze the stuffed, uncooked chicken breasts individually wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking and glazing as usual.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a 350 degree oven until warmed through to keep the chicken moist and the cheese melty. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the texture a bit rubbery. Add a quick brush of extra glaze before serving to restore that fresh, glossy finish.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?
Absolutely! While honeycrisp apples offer perfect balance with sweetness and tartness, other firm apples like Granny Smith or Fuji work well too. Just choose one that holds its shape when baked.
Is brie the only cheese that pairs well with apple-stuffed chicken?
Brie is wonderful for its creamy texture and mild flavor, but you can experiment with other soft cheeses like Camembert or mild goat cheese for a different twist. Just be sure they melt well.
Can I prepare this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your apple cider or juice and Dijon mustard do not contain gluten additives. Always check labels to be safe.
How can I tell when the chicken is fully cooked?
The most accurate way is to use a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The chicken should be juicy and the cheese melted inside.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make this dairy-free, you can substitute the brie with a soft, dairy-free cheese alternative and ensure the glaze ingredients are all suitable. The flavor won’t be exactly the same but will still be deliciously comforting.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Maple Glazed Apple and Brie Stuffed Chicken Recipe that brings a warm, inviting feeling to any table. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a comforting hug with every bite, perfectly blending sweet, creamy, and savory flavors. Give it a try the next time you want to wow family or friends with a dish that’s both straightforward and spectacular. You might find yourself making it again and again!
Print
Maple Glazed Apple and Brie Stuffed Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in the sophisticated flavors of Maple Glazed Apple and Brie Stuffed Chicken. Juicy chicken breasts are stuffed with sweet honeycrisp apples and creamy brie cheese, baked to perfection, and finished with a luscious maple syrup glaze infused with apple cider, garlic, and fresh thyme. This elegant yet easy-to-make dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken and Stuffing
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces brie cheese, thinly sliced
Maple Glaze
- 1 cup apple cider or juice
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Fresh thyme, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken: Butterfly each chicken breast by slicing it horizontally almost all the way through, then open it like a book. Season the inside of the chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Stuff Chicken: Layer thin slices of honeycrisp apple and brie cheese inside each butterflied chicken breast, then carefully fold them back together to enclose the filling.
- Bake Chicken: Place the stuffed chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Make Glaze: While the chicken bakes, combine apple cider, pure maple syrup, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and fresh thyme in a small skillet. Simmer the mixture over medium heat until it thickens to a glaze consistency.
- Glaze and Broil: Brush the thickened glaze generously over the nearly cooked chicken breasts. Place them under the broiler for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) and the glaze is caramelized.
- Serve: Serve the stuffed chicken warm with extra maple glaze drizzled on top for extra flavor and moisture.
Notes
- Be careful not to overstuff the chicken breasts to prevent the filling from leaking during cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that chicken is safely cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- If you don’t have honeycrisp apples, Fuji or Gala apples are good substitutes.
- Fresh thyme adds a lovely aroma but can be omitted or replaced with rosemary if preferred.
- This recipe pairs well with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad.
