Maple-Glazed Wild Rice and Cranberry Stuffed Chicken
Chicken breasts stuffed with wild rice, dried cranberries, and cherries, finished with a sweet maple glaze. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs chicken breasts, wild rice, dried cranberries for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup wild rice
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup dried cherries
- 1/4 cup onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Step 2: Cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast without cutting through.
- Step 3: Combine 1 cup cooked wild rice, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup dried cherries, 1/4 cup chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme in a bowl.
- Step 4: Divide filling evenly among chicken breasts and stuff each with the mixture.
- Step 5: Place stuffed chicken in a baking dish, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), basting with 2 tablespoons maple syrup during the last 10 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Wild Rice and Cranberry Stuffed Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Maple-Glazed Wild Rice and Cranberry Stuffed Chicken?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Wild Rice and Cranberry Stuffed Chicken?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Maple-Glazed Wild Rice and Cranberry Stuffed Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Maple-Glazed Wild Rice and Cranberry Stuffed Chicken?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My kids actually ate their vegetables for once. The wild rice was fluffy and the chicken stayed juicy.
- ★★★★★
This became my holiday staple! The maple glaze caramelized perfectly and the cranberries added such a lovely tartness.
- ★★★★☆
Slightly sweet for my taste, but the maple glaze made it feel special for dinner guests.
