Description
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with creamy cheese, wrapped in flaky pastry, and decorated with olive ‘eyes’ for a festive, kid-friendly Halloween dinner. This easy recipe is playful, delicious, and perfect for parties or cozy October nights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (or herbed cheese spread)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional)
- 1 sheet (8 oz) puff pastry or refrigerated crescent dough, thawed
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 8 sliced black olives (for eyes)
- Extra cheese or small bits of red pepper (optional, for pupils)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, mozzarella, and parsley/chives until spreadable. Adjust salt if needed.
- Cut a horizontal slit in each chicken breast to create a pocket. Stuff about 2 tablespoons of cheese mixture into each pocket and press edges to seal.
- Roll out puff pastry or crescent dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut into thin strips, about 1/2 inch wide.
- Wrap each chicken breast with dough strips in a crisscross pattern, leaving gaps for a mummy look. Tuck ends underneath or secure with toothpicks. Leave space at one end for eyes.
- Place two olive slices on the exposed area of each chicken breast for eyes. Add cheese or red pepper bits for pupils if desired.
- Brush pastry with beaten egg using a pastry brush.
- Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 22-25 minutes, until pastry is golden and chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Tent with foil if pastry browns too quickly.
- Check doneness by piercing the thickest part of chicken; juices should run clear and cheese should be melted.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Remove toothpicks if used and arrange on a platter.
Notes
For gluten-free, use gluten-free crescent dough. For dairy-free, use plant-based cheese and vegan pastry. Don’t overstuff chicken to avoid filling leakage. Keep dough cold for easier wrapping. Can be assembled ahead and baked fresh. Leftovers store well and reheat best in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mummy chicken breast
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Halloween, chicken breast, mummy, festive dinner, kid-friendly, party food, easy recipe, puff pastry, crescent dough, cheese stuffed chicken