Chicken Cranberry Brie Tartlets are a quick appetizer that combines all the best flavors of the season in one delicious little bite! Perfect for holiday parties and sure to become a new favorite!
I’ll admit it. I’m a total sucker for holiday appetizers. Surely I’m not the only one? Every year, come mid-November, I start dreaming up my holiday menus. Starting, of course, with the appetizers!
These Chicken Cranberry Brie Tartlets have been a staple on my list for the past few years now. Don’t they just make you feel Christmasy? And ready for a party? I’ve already made them a few times this season (puff pastry & brie…can you blame me?) and they’ll definitely be making at least a couple more appearances before the holiday season is over.
If you ask me, they really are the perfect little bites. They’re savory and sweet easy to make… and even easier to eat at a party! If you’re looking for a new holiday favorite, look no further!
what you’ll love about this recipe
This Chicken Cranberry Brie Tartlets have it all! Sweet cranberry sauce, savory brie, a buttery shell and the perfect finish! You’ll love how hearty they are with the addition of chicken!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Puff pastry – I used 2 packages of puff pastry as the base of this recipe. What I love about puff pastry is how soft and flaky it is and how perfectly it bakes up into a little cup. It’s the perfect base for all your other ingredients! It can be found in the frozen section near the desserts.
Chicken breast – I added 1 cooked, chopped chicken breast to make this a heartier little bite. You can feel free to omit the chicken to make this vegetarian.
Cranberries – For the cranberry sauce, I used 1 1/2 cups of fresh cranberries. Feel free to substitute frozen… or use canned cranberry sauce for convenience.
Honey & mustard powder – I sweetened the cranberry sauce with honey and added 1 teaspoon of mustard powder for a sweet & savory combo.
Brie cheese – I used 4 ounces of brie cheese, cut into 48 small pieces (one for each cup).
Pecans – As a garnish, I added 1/4 cup of finely chopped pecans, divided evenly.
Sage – I also added 2 Tablespoons of minced fresh sage.
how to make chicken cranberry brie tartlets
Make the puff pastry cups. Thaw the puff pastry sheets according to package instructions. Once thawed, unfold them into thirds. Cut each third into 12 equal squares to make 48 squares. (*You will not use entire second package.) Grease 2 mini muffin tins; press each puff pastry square into a muffin cup. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes; remove from oven and press the center of each cup in with the end of a wooden spoon.
Prep the cranberry sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, honey, water, and mustard powder. Bring the mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Fill the puff pastry cups & bake. Fill the center of each puff pastry cup with 1 piece of chicken, 1/2 teaspoon cranberry sauce, and 1 piece brie cheese. Return them to the oven for 5-7 minutes, until brie is nicely melted.
Garnish. Garnish with minced sage and chopped pecans. Serve warm.
Recipe Variations
- Substitute phyllo tart shells for puff pastry
- Use canned cranberry sauce instead of homemade
- Substitute crumbled feta, goat, gouda or Parmesan for Brie
- Add additional fresh herbs or substitute rosemary for the sage
- Omit the chicken to make them vegetarian
- Garnish with cooked, crumbled bacon
more holiday appetizers you’ll love
- Feta Phyllo Bites
- Cranberry Meatballs
- Pistachio Cherry Baked Brie
- Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Cranberry Pecan Baked Goat Cheese
- Mushroom Bacon Swiss Crostini
- Swiss Almond Cheese Ball
Chicken, Cranberry & Brie Tartlets
Ingredients
- 2 packages 17 ounces each puff pastry
- 1 chicken breast cooked and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 Tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 4 ounces brie cheese cut into 48 pieces
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
- 2 Tablespoons minced fresh sage
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Thaw puff pastry sheets according to package instructions. Once thawed, unfold into thirds.
- Cut each third into 12 equal squares to make 48 squares. (*You will not use entire second package.)
- Grease 2 mini muffin tins; press each puff pastry square into a muffin cup.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes; remove from oven and press the center of each cup in with the end of a wooden spoon.
- While puff pastry is baking, prepare cranberry sauce by combining fresh cranberries, honey, water, and mustard powder in a small saucepan.
- Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Fill the center of each puff pastry cup with 1 piece of chicken, 1/2 teaspoon cranberry sauce, and 1 piece brie cheese.
- Return to oven for 5-7 minutes, until brie is nicely melted.
- Top with minced sage and chopped pecans.
- Serve warm.
Yvonne says
I want these!!!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
These are absolutely delicious sounding. I need to make them this holiday season.
Katie says
1) These look like heaven on earth.
2) Shop online. Tons of great deals for busy people like you!
Cathy Trochelman says
You read my mind. I’ve been doing so much of my shopping online this year! 🙂
Julie Blanner says
These are great!!! Thinking these would be perfect for a holiday party.
katerina @ diethood.com says
These are so incredible! The perfect holiday appetizer!!
Amanda | The Chunky Chef says
Oh these are so elegant and delicious looking!!
Jenny | Honey and Birch says
Cathy, these are so perfect!! I want to bring them to my family Christmas party!
Amy says
Oh-my these look and sound delicious! The perfect party food.
Kristen Chidsey says
Absolutely incredible and I am trying to avoid Christmas shopping in public–loving Amazon this year 🙂
Cathy Trochelman says
I’m doing SO much online this year!
Melissa says
Any suggestions for a cheese other than Brie? My husband doesn’t care for it 🙂
Cathy Trochelman says
I would suggest goat cheese or havarti!
Jackie Gaevin says
Perfect little holiday bites. So festive. Beautiful photos !
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
This looks fantastic! Beautiful photography, as well!
Rosie Mc Intosh says
What could you substitute for the Brie cheese ? Not a fan of that . Thank You.
Cathy Trochelman says
Try parmesan!
Janice says
I want to make this this weekend but you can’t get fresh cranberries this time of year. What do you suggest as a replacement?
Cathy Trochelman says
You can often find frozen cranberries; otherwise a canned or jarred cranberry sauce would work well 🙂
Brenda Estes says
Just read actual recipe, directions good
Katelynn|hampersandhiccups.com says
Brie & pastry. Sold!
I’m going to be linking here in my upcoming Holiday Leftovers post over at hampersandhiccups.com. I’ll be sure to update you with the link 🙂
Thanks
Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com
Dorothy Renton says
Delicious! Left the chicken off vegetarian friend. It was outstanding! There were no leftovers.
Tina says
Can these tartlets be frozen? ????
Darlene MacDonald says
Can these be frozen!!
Judy Phillipps says
I like this recipe. I was wondering could ham and pineapple be used in the same way?
Anne says
Has anyone made these ahead of time? Wondering if the puff pastry could take the initial bake, then the tarts assembled and stuck in the fridge until just before your event??
Nancy Steffes says
I have the same question as above. Can part of this recipe be done ahead of time?
Jeanette says
Did you try preparing these ahead of time??
Ariasmith says
Wow, chicken cranberry Brie tart lets looks implausible! Sounds hearty, so yummy!!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Are there any other cheeses that work well with this?
Cay says
Can you show how to cut puffed pastry or give a measurement want to make but don’t want to waste my puffed pastry by cutting it wrong