Description
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with creamy ricotta and sweet apricot filling, finished with a fragrant honey thyme drizzle for an elegant yet easy meal.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup apricot preserves
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme (or 1 tablespoon dried thyme)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F) and prepare a greased or lined baking dish.
- Cut a pocket into each chicken breast without slicing all the way through.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese and apricot preserves until smooth.
- Stuff each chicken breast with the ricotta-apricot mixture and secure with toothpicks if needed.
- Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat and sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden.
- Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until fully cooked (internal temperature 75°C).
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat, then add honey, garlic, and thyme. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Remove chicken from oven, let rest briefly, then drizzle with the honey thyme sauce before serving.
Notes
- Secure chicken well to prevent filling from leaking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure proper doneness.
- Substitute apricot preserves with peach or fig for variation.
- Add lemon zest for a brighter flavor.
- Mix nuts or spinach into the filling for added texture.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
