Honey Cranberry Chicken Bake (Printable Version)
Tender chicken meets honey, cranberries, and creamy cheese in a golden baked dish bursting with flavor.
# Ingredients:
→ Poultry
01 -
450 grams boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
→ Sweeteners
02 -
60 milliliters floral local honey
→ Fruit
03 -
120 grams fresh or unsweetened dried cranberries
→ Cheese
04 -
100 grams crumbled sheep's milk feta cheese
05 -
100 grams double-cream brie cheese, cut into cubes
→ Bread
06 -
1 rustic sourdough loaf, approximately 500 grams
→ Fats
07 -
60 grams European-style butter, melted
→ Herbs and Seasoning
08 -
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
09 -
Pinch of fine sea salt
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat oven to 175°C. Lightly butter or spray a large baking dish to prevent sticking and assist in crisping the base.
02 -
Using a sharp bread knife, slice the sourdough loaf into 2.5 cm cubes without cutting all the way through, keeping the base intact to hold the loaf together for pull-apart texture.
03 -
Press cubes of brie and cranberries evenly between each slice and on top of the loaf, ensuring a harmonious distribution of flavors without crushing the bread.
04 -
Place the stuffed loaf into the prepared baking dish. Drizzle melted butter evenly over the top, followed by a generous pour of honey so it permeates every crevice to achieve caramelization.
05 -
Sprinkle the pinch of salt and fresh thyme leaves uniformly over the loaf, incorporating some thyme inside for aromatic complexity and balance.
06 -
Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the top is golden and the cheeses are melted and bubbling.
07 -
Allow the bake to rest for 5 minutes to let the cheese set slightly. Pull apart or slice into wedges and serve warm, enjoying the combination of gooey cheese, tart cranberries, and honeyed chicken layers.
# Notes:
01 -
Allowing the sourdough bread to become slightly stale before baking improves absorption of flavors and texture.
02 -
Reserve some cheese for scattering on top to achieve an appealing golden, bubbly finish.
03 -
Both fresh and dried cranberries are appropriate; dried are sweeter and chewier while fresh provide tart bursts.