Being a devoted foodie, Thanksgiving ranks among my favorite holidays. I grew up in a family of excellent cooks, and when everyone gathers for the meal, it becomes the highlight of the year. Stuffing, turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes — just thinking about it makes my mouth water.
While planning dinner the other day, I wanted all the flavors of Thanksgiving without the long prep. I started experimenting in the kitchen and created a dish that captures that classic holiday taste in a much easier format. If you love Thanksgiving flavors, this recipe is likely to become a new favorite.
The sparkling apple cider added a lovely brightness to the dish. What I didn’t use in the recipe, my husband and I enjoyed with dinner. Sparkling cider is perfect for this time of year — it’s great for sipping and it brings a subtle, festive sweetness when used in cooking. The variety of flavors available in sparkling ciders can make holiday meals feel even more special.
- 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 box stuffing mix
- 3/4 cup sparkling apple cider
- 1/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries (craisins)
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly to form a roux. Gradually add the milk a little at a time, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens. Season with onion powder and garlic salt, then pour the sauce evenly over the chicken.
- In a medium bowl, combine the dry stuffing mix with the craisins. Pour in the sparkling apple cider and the water, stirring until the stuffing is moistened and coated.
- Spread the moistened stuffing mixture over the sauced chicken, covering as much as possible.
- Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the stuffing topping is golden. Cooking time will vary slightly depending on breast thickness; an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) indicates doneness.
Enjoy!