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Ruth Chris stuffed chicken up close with a fork.
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Ruth Chris Stuffed Chicken

Recreate the famous Ruth's Chris Stuffed Chicken with juicy roasted chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy cheese and fresh herb filling, savory seasonings, crisp golden skin, and a buttery lemon garlic finish.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2

Equipment

  • Toothpicks
  • sharp knife
  • Kitchen Shears

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder divided
  • 6 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened
  • 1/3 cup sharp cheddar cheese finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon dry Ranch seasoning
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh chopped herbs such as parsley, rosemary and thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 whole chicken about 4-5 pounds
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons fresh parsley minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mix together 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt, 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Set aside.
  • Make the filling by mixing the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon dry Ranch seasoning, 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder. Mix until smooth and incorporated. Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes while preparing the chicken.

Directions to spatchcock and airline the chicken:

  • Remove the giblets from the cavity. Place chicken breast-side down on a cutting board and use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it completely. 
  • Cut a small sliver between the shoulders and press on the shoulders firmly to reveal the keel bone. Remove the keel bone. Trim rib bones from the breast section to clean the airline cut.
  • Flip the chicken over so it is breast-side up, then press firmly and evenly down on the breastbone until the chicken flattens out into a spatchcocked position.  Locate the thigh joint and use a knife to slice through the skin between the breast and the thigh. Cut through the joint to remove the thighs. 
  • Locate the wing joints and cut through the joint to remove part of the wing, leaving only the drumette attached.

Directions for preparing the chicken:

  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to gently lift the skin from the breasts, taking care not to tear the skin. 
  • Using a sharp boning knife, insert the tip into the thickest part of the breast and slice inward, parallel to the cutting board, to create a deep pocket into the centers. Be careful not to cut all the way through or pierce the skin.
  • Spoon about ½ of the filling into each pocket, pressing gently so it fills the entire cavity evenly. Do not over fill. You may not use all of the filling depending on the size of your chicken.
  • Drizzle the olive oil over the outside of the chicken and under the skin. Sprinkle and rub the seasoning blend evenly on both sides of the chicken and under the skin. Use toothpicks to tightly close the opening, so the filling stays sealed in place during cooking. Pull the skin over the seam so it overlaps slightly, if possible. Some seepage is normal during the roasting process.
  • Spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter evenly across a small baking sheet. Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet and bake, breast side up, at 375°F for 35-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cooking time depends on the size of your chicken.
  • Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Remove butter from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, parsley and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a serving dish. Carefully remove the toothpicks. Pour the lemon butter over the roasted chicken and top with fresh chopped parsley. Allow chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to allow the seasoning to adhere and reduce excess moisture for the crispiest skin. 
  • Refrigerating the cream cheese filling for a few minutes allows it to firm up a bit for easier stuffing. 
  • Don’t overstuff the chicken breasts. Depending on the size of your chicken, you may not use all of the filling. 
  • Use toothpicks to secure the seal to help keep in the filling during the cooking process. Remember to remove them before serving. 
  • Bake until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the meat. 
  • Smaller airline breasts, about 8-10 ounces will take about 35 minutes to bake, larger size, about 12-14 ounces, will take about 45 minutes to bake. 
  • Allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute for the moistest chicken possible.

Nutrition

Calories: 1553kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 82g | Fat: 131g | Saturated Fat: 59g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 45g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 481mg | Sodium: 2448mg | Potassium: 976mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3670IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 290mg | Iron: 4mg