Description
Spinach and cheese stuffed chicken brings Mediterranean flavors to classic poultry preparation. Home cooks can elevate dinner with this elegant protein-packed dish that delivers complex flavor profiles and simple culinary satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup (30 grams) fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ cup (120 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (28 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) mayonnaise
- 2 tsps (10 ml) olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 375°F (190°C), establishing the perfect culinary canvas for a succulent chicken transformation.
- Pocket Creation: Skillfully slice into each chicken breast, forming a concealed cavity without completely severing the meat, preparing a hidden chamber for flavor infusion.
- Filling Fusion: Blend spinach, cream cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes into a velvety, aromatic mixture that promises a symphony of tastes.
- Stuffing and Seasoning: Delicately nestle the prepared filling into the chicken’s hidden pockets, securing with toothpicks and lavishing the exterior with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a tantalizing flavor armor.
- Roasting Ritual: Position the seasoned chicken in a lightly greased baking dish, then slide into the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, allowing the internal temperature to climb to a safe 165°F (74°C) while developing a golden, caramelized exterior.
- Resting Phase: Extract the chicken from the oven and permit a brief moment of repose, enabling internal juices to redistribute and ensuring each slice emerges tender, juicy, and bursting with multilayered flavors.
Notes
- Pocket Perfection: Slice chicken breasts carefully without cutting through, creating a perfect hidden flavor chamber for stuffing.
- Flavor Fusion: Mix cream cheese and spinach with seasonings thoroughly to create a rich, creamy filling that guarantees maximum taste in every bite.
- Sealing Secrets: Use toothpicks to close chicken pockets and prevent filling from leaking during cooking, maintaining a clean and appetizing presentation.
- Temperature Triumph: Check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F to ensure safe and perfectly cooked protein while maintaining juicy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg