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!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

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)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.

Step 4

In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the spinach to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wilted and excess moisture evaporates. Remove from heat.

Step 6

In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked spinach, cream cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until well incorporated.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets on a floured surface. Cut each sheet into two equal rectangles, resulting in four pieces in total.

Step 9

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.

Step 10

Brush the outside of each pastry-wrapped chicken present with the beaten egg to create a golden, shiny finish.

Step 11

Transfer the wrapped chicken presents to the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down.

Step 12

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).

Step 13

Remove from the oven and rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 14

Serve each 'present' as a festive centerpiece on a plate, optionally garnished with fresh herbs or cranberries for extra holiday flair. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1408.9 grams (1408.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2808

Total Fat 155.20g	199%
Saturated Fat 70.80g	354%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 1027mg	342%
Sodium 3575mg	155%
Total Carbohydrate 69.40g	25%
Dietary Fiber 8.00g	29%
Total Sugars 6.80g
Protein 271.60g	543%

Vitamin D 55IU	276%
Calcium 1333mg	103%
Iron 17mg	94%
Potassium 1956mg	42%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.6%

Protein: 39.4%

Carbs: 10.1%