These Chicken Breasts stuffed with Apples and Cheese looks fancy, but isn’t difficult to make. Apple and Cheese is one of my favorite snack combinations. Pair that with fresh tarragon, shallots and bread crumbs and you have a flavorful stuffing that you will love. The chicken is seared, then roasted, for a moist finish. A quick pan sauce is made with apple cider, a splash of white wine and chicken stock and you have a week night dinner that is easy enough to put together, but fancy enough for a dinner party.
I have a confession to make. It has to do with “stuffing”. I’m specifically talking the kind of stuffing that we cram inside our Thanksgiving turkey. I’ve been told that I make delicious stuffing, but I wouldn’t know. You see, I’m one of those Un-Americans who doesn’t like stuffing.
There. I said it. I don’t get what’s so good about goopy, soggy bread, a bunch of onions and vegetables– maybe oysters, or nuts… slathered with gravy. Every year, I take a bite and I’m still not impressed. But, I’m in the minority– I know. My men devour stuffing with great relish. More for them! Pass me the mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, and I’m happy. I’m sorry. I just can’t get excited about stuffing!
My dislike of stuffing changed, when I made these stuffed chicken breasts. I was inspired when I looked at the bowl of apples that I keep stocked for lunches, and realized that apples would make a good pairing with chicken. I had chicken breasts, waiting to become dinner. Then it hit me– I have lots of fresh French tarragon in our herb garden, and I decided this would compliment the chicken (parsley or sage would work, too). The next thing I knew, I grabbed some shallots, for extra flavor and I preheated the oven to 425F.
I admit that any kind of measuring, flew out the window. I eyeballed about 1 cup of grated Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
One peeled and sliced apple went into the bowl, and about one cup of breadcrumbs, and a little garlic salt.
After cutting a slit into the boneless chicken breast, I began to cram the stuffing in.
Then I pondered, how to keep all this stuffing from falling out…
..and I grabbed the kitchen twine and problem solved!
I much prefer to sear and roast my meats, whenever possible. This method has proved successful for me, in that my meats remain moist. After seasoning each breast with coarse salt & pepper, I seared each chicken breast in a bit of olive oil, in an oven-proof skillet.
Then, I flipped them over and put them into a preheated 425F oven, for about 25 minutes (or until the chicken is at 160F).
I removed the chicken breasts, set them on a plate and loosely covered them with foil.
The pan sauce I made, turned out to be one of my best ones yet! I started by deglazing the pan with some apple cider, then I added a splash of white wine. This is Boiled Cider, and I buy it from King Arthur Flour. The boiled cider really brings out the flavor in apple pie, and I’m finding it works great in so many recipes. I added a “splash” (about 2 Tablespoons), and about 1 cup of chicken stock. Then, I let it reduce to about half– about 7-8 minutes, on medium-high heat.
The aroma of this dinner cooking brought my husband out of his office, and anxiously waiting for dinner.
The pan sauce was truly one of my best– the sweetness of the apple cider, and a splash of acidity from the white wine– perfection!
TASTING NOTES: This is a stuffing I learned to love, at first bite. Melted cheese and apples is a terrific combination. The shallots and the mild anise flavor, of the tarragon, added a lovely savory element to the sauce. My husband loved this dinner, and I have to say that I did, too. The next time I make this, I think I’ll butterfly the chicken so I can add a lot more stuffing, then roll it, and tie it with kitchen twine. These could easily be prepared in advance, and then cooked when company arrives. This recipe is a keeper. I promise you.
Who says that chicken gets boring? Not this way!
Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Apple and Cheese
Apple and cheese is one of my favorite snack combinations. Pair that with fresh tarragon, shallots and bread crumbs and you have a flavorful stuffing that you will love. The chicken is seared, then roasted, for a moist finish. A quick pan sauce is made with apple cider, a splash of white wine and chicken stock and you have a week night dinner that is easy enough to put together, but fancy enough for a dinner party.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- 1 oven-proof skillet
- kitchen twine
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless
- 1 apple peeled and chopped
- 1 large shallot chopped fine
- 2 tablespoons fresh French tarragon parsley, or sage
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 1/2 cup Monterey jack cheese grated
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons boiled cider optional, can be purchased at King Arthur Flour or Amazon
- 2 to 3 tablespoons white wine
- 3/4 cup chicken stock
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry. Cut a pocket in each chicken breast (or butterfly each chicken breast).
- Combine the apples, shallots, tarragon, garlic powder, cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Stuff the chicken generously; likewise, if you’ve butterflied the chicken breasts, layer with stuffing and roll up. Using kitchen twine, tie each chicken breast and season with salt & pepper.
- Heat an oven-proof skillet with a thin layer of olive oil and sear on medium-high, until golden brown.Turn over and place the entire skillet in a preheated 425°F oven.
- Roast, until the chicken comes to 160°F, about 20 to 25 minutes.Remove from the oven, and set the chicken on a plate; cut and remove the kitchen twine. Loosely cover with foil.
- Drain any excess fat/oil from the skillet. With skillet on medium-high, deglaze the pan with the apple cider, scraping off any loose bites. Add the Boiled Apple Cider (if using). Add the white wine and stir for a minute or two.
- Add the chicken stock and reduce to about half. Serve each chicken breast with plenty of pan sauce.
Notes
Feel free to use cheese of your choice, such a Gruyere or Gouda.
Tried this recipe?Mention @afeastfortheeyes or tag #afeastfortheeyesblog!
Looks delicious!!! Chicken and apples – perfect combo!
You have discovered a perfect combo of ingredients. Lovely.
What scrumptious chicken! I'm always searching for new ways to prepare chicken and this is a most delightful recipe.
Elegant enough for a festive weekend dinner, just stellar.
You have been working hard, Girl! What a delicious meal. I must admit that I love, adore, crave stuffing!! I do think your cheese and apple mixture would be perfect with chicken and will be giving this a try.
I'm totally with you on this one…stuffing and I are SO not BFF's. But THIS…I could love. i'm definitely craving the apple/cheddar combo now!
I can't wait to make this – it looks delicious! But the recipe doesn't list the apple in the ingredients?
I can't wait to make this – it looks delicious! But the recipe doesn't list the apple in the ingredients?
This sounds delicious and I will be trying it very soon.
This sounds really good, Debby… I think the idea of doing a 'roll-up' is great. I'm going to look into the boiled cider 🙂
wow The chicken looks so very tender and juicy. Scrumptious!
I've done this with chicken, cheese and prosciutto but never apples…that sounds divine. Must try it soon!
Wow Debby, this looks soooo delicious! Fantastic photos! I LOVE stuffing, and I love fruit in stuffing…will definitely be trying this soon 🙂
This looks amazing! I love the apple/cheddar combo!!!!
I don't get what's so good about goopy, soggy bread, a bunch of onions and vegetables– maybe oysters, or nuts… slathered with gravy" yup, that's the way I like it :-). This chicken dish sounds delicious and if it's half as good as your shots of it, it must be awesome.
Wow! This looks scrumptious. I love sprucing up chicken breast and I love the combination of chicken and apples. I will definitely have to give this a try.
Hi Debby. Wow! This looks fantastic. It's apple season in Georgia and I'm always looking for a great apple recipe. One of my favorite things is apple pie with melted cheese. The combination of apples and cheese in a chicken stuffing sounds amazing. I'll definitely try this one. Thanks for stopping by my blog again and the great comments! Great to "meet" you as well!
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Wow, that sure a delight and yummy-looking recipe and a must-try one! Thanks for sharing. I love stuffed chicken!