Name: Delicious Cranberry Brie Chicken Skewers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 29 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1.5 inch cubes; 8 oz brie cheese, cut into small cubes; 1 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied); 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional); Skewers (metal or soaked wood)

Jump to Recipe

Cranberry Brie Chicken is my go to move when I want BBQ food that feels a little special but still easy enough to pull off while everyone is standing around chatting. You know that moment when you realize you have chicken in the fridge, people are coming over, and you do not want to serve the same plain skewers again? This is the fix. You get juicy chicken, warm melty brie, and that pop of sweet cranberry that tastes like you planned way ahead. I started making these after one backyard cookout where I totally underestimated how hungry everyone would be. Now I keep this idea in my back pocket for every summer hangout.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Let’s keep this simple and flexible, because BBQ days can get chaotic. Here is what you need for these Delicious Cranberry Brie Chicken Skewers for Your Next BBQ, plus swaps that work when you are missing something.

Chicken: boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite size cubes. Thighs stay extra juicy on the grill.
Brie: a small wheel or wedge, cut into small cubes. If it is super soft, pop it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before cutting.
Cranberry sauce: whole berry or jellied both work. Homemade is great, but store bought is totally fine.
Olive oil: just enough to coat the chicken.
Seasoning: salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a little smoked paprika for BBQ vibes.
Rosemary or thyme (optional): fresh herbs make it smell amazing when it hits the heat.
Skewers: metal or wood. If using wood, soak them for 20 to 30 minutes so they do not burn.

Substitution notes from my own trial and error: if you do not have brie, camembert is the closest swap. If you want less sweetness, mix cranberry sauce with a tiny squeeze of lemon. And if you are serving kids who side eye anything fancy, you can do half the skewers with just chicken and a light cranberry glaze at the end.

Also, if you are clearly on a cranberry brie kick like I am, you might like these snacky little cranberry brie puff pastry bites for pre BBQ nibbling. They disappear fast.

How to Make Cranberry and Brie Stuffed Chicken

This part sounds fancy, but it is honestly pretty straightforward. The goal is to get that brie tucked inside the chicken, then let the cranberry do its thing right at the end so it does not burn.

Step by step game plan

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Here is how I do it on a normal Saturday when I do not feel like making a mess.

1) Prep the chicken. Cut into pieces that are large enough to hold a little pocket, about 1 and a half inches. Pat dry with paper towels so seasoning sticks.

2) Season. Toss chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Do not be shy with the seasoning because brie is mild.

3) Stuff it. Use a small knife to cut a slit in each piece of chicken, like a little pocket. Push a small cube of brie inside. If some brie peeks out, that is fine, just try not to overfill.

4) Skewer. Thread the stuffed chicken onto skewers. Leave a little space between pieces so heat can get around them.

5) Grill. Cook over medium heat, turning every couple of minutes. You want the chicken cooked through and lightly charred in spots. Depending on your grill and the size of your pieces, this is usually 10 to 14 minutes total.

6) Add cranberry. In the last 1 to 2 minutes, brush cranberry sauce on all sides. If your sauce is super thick, warm it in the microwave for 10 seconds so it brushes easily.

Quick safety note because it matters: chicken should hit 165 F in the thickest part. I use a basic instant read thermometer and it saves a lot of guessing.

If you want a cozy version of this flavor combo on a weeknight, I also love this cranberry brie chicken pasta bake. Same sweet and creamy feel, zero grilling.

“I made these for our neighborhood BBQ and everyone kept asking what the cheese was. The brie gets so creamy and the cranberry glaze makes it taste like something from a restaurant.”

How to Serve It

These skewers are the kind of thing that looks impressive on a platter, even if you were running around five minutes ago trying to find the tongs. For Delicious Cranberry Brie Chicken Skewers for Your Next BBQ, I like to serve them with simple sides that do not compete with the sweet savory flavor.

My favorite serving ideas:

Grilled corn with butter and a pinch of salt
Simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette
Roasted baby potatoes or potato salad
Warm rolls because someone always wants bread
Fresh fruit like watermelon to balance the richness

If you want to turn this into more of a snack table situation, add a warm brie appetizer too. This cranberry brie pull apart bread is ridiculously good when people are hovering near the food waiting for the grill to finish.

One more little tip: keep a small bowl of extra warmed cranberry sauce on the side for dipping. People love options, and it helps if someone wants more sweetness.

How to Store and Reheat Cranberry Brie Chicken

Real talk, leftovers are not always guaranteed with these. But if you do end up with extra, you can absolutely store them and still enjoy them.

Here is what works best in my kitchen:

Storing: Pull the chicken off the skewers once it cools down a bit, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Reheat gently so the chicken stays juicy. I like the oven at 350 F for about 10 minutes, covered loosely with foil. You can also use the microwave in short bursts, but the brie can get a little weird if you go too long.

Extra cranberry sauce: Store separately if possible. Warm it up and spoon it on after reheating for the freshest flavor.

If you are an air fryer person, you can reheat at about 350 F for 4 to 6 minutes, checking halfway. And if you want a totally different air fryer chicken idea for another day, these air fryer chicken tenders mit cranberry dip are a fun one, especially for family dinners.

More Chicken Recipes to Try

If you make Delicious Cranberry Brie Chicken Skewers for Your Next BBQ and end up loving that sweet savory cranberry vibe, you have options. I am a big fan of recipes that feel a little festive without needing a holiday to justify them.

Here are a few more ideas you might like:

More brie and cranberry goodness: Try this gooey cranberry pecan baked brie when you want something you can set out with crackers while you grill.

Switch up the protein: This same flavor combo works with turkey cutlets too, especially in fall.

Turn it into a bowl: Serve sliced leftover chicken over rice with arugula and a drizzle of balsamic.

Make it party style: Do mini skewers with smaller chicken pieces for a finger food platter.

The best part is that once you get comfortable stuffing chicken with brie, you start seeing a bunch of ways to play with it. Different jams, different herbs, different sides. It is one of those templates you can keep remixing.

Common Questions

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes. You can season and stuff the chicken up to a day ahead, then keep it covered in the fridge. Skewer and grill right before serving for best texture.

Will the brie melt out on the grill?

A little might ooze out, and that is normal. Keep the brie pieces small, do not overstuff, and cook over medium heat so the chicken cooks through before the cheese completely escapes.

What cranberry sauce is best for glazing?

I like whole berry because it looks pretty and feels less sugary, but jellied works too. If it is very thick, warm it slightly so it brushes on easily.

Can I cook these without a grill?

Absolutely. Use a grill pan on the stove or bake at 425 F on a lined sheet pan, turning once. Brush cranberry sauce near the end just like you would on the grill.

How do I know the chicken is cooked without drying it out?

Use an instant read thermometer and pull the skewers as soon as the thickest piece hits 165 F. It is the easiest way to keep the chicken juicy.

A Sweet and Savory BBQ Win You Will Make Again

If you want something different for your cookout, Delicious Cranberry Brie Chicken Skewers for Your Next BBQ check all the boxes: easy to prep, fun to serve, and they taste like you put in way more effort than you did. The combo of juicy chicken, melty brie, and cranberry glaze is just plain comforting. If you want to compare a similar flavor idea, I found this helpful page for Cranberry Brie Stuffed Chicken – Eat the Bite and it is a nice reference for more variations. Put these skewers on your next BBQ menu and tell me what side you served with them. I am always looking for new pairing ideas.

Delicious Cranberry Brie Chicken Skewers for Your Next BBQ

Ingredients and Substitutions