Description
Succulent Italian-style stuffed chicken breast brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Creamy mozzarella and spinach nestled inside tender chicken create a delightful meal that satisfies both comfort and gourmet cravings you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil (or reserved oil from sun-dried tomatoes)
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) paprika
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Filling:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup (240 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ⅓ cup (35 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup (50 grams) sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 3 cups (85 grams) spinach (packed, roughly chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
Herbs and Spices:
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) olive oil
- ½ teaspoon (1 gram) dried basil
- ½ teaspoon (1 gram) dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon (0.5 grams) onion powder
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Carefully craft a vibrant, creamy filling by sautéing spinach and garlic in olive oil until the greens soften and become fragrant.
- Whisk together cream cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan with aromatic dried herbs, creating a luxurious blend that promises rich, complex flavors.
- Gently incorporate wilted spinach and sun-dried tomatoes into the cheese mixture, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
- Meticulously prepare chicken breasts by patting them completely dry with paper towels to ensure optimal searing.
- Using a sharp knife, delicately create a deep pocket along the side of each chicken breast, being cautious not to pierce through the meat.
- Generously stuff each chicken breast with the prepared cheese and vegetable mixture, ensuring a full but controlled filling.
- Season the exterior of the stuffed chicken with a harmonious blend of salt, pepper, and paprika for enhanced flavor profile.
- Heat oil in a heavy skillet, bringing it to a high temperature that will create a golden, crispy exterior on the chicken.
- Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side, developing a beautiful caramelized crust that locks in moisture.
- Transfer the skillet directly to a preheated 375°F oven, allowing the chicken to cook through completely and reach a safe internal temperature.
- Verify doneness by confirming the chicken has reached 165°F at its thickest point using a meat thermometer.
- Let the chicken rest for several minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and ensure maximum tenderness.
- Plate alongside creamy mashed potatoes and roasted green beans to complete this elegant, restaurant-quality meal.
Notes
- Carefully butterfly chicken breasts without cutting through completely to create a perfect pocket for the flavorful filling.
- Mixing different cheeses like cream cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan creates a rich, creamy texture with complex flavors.
- Searing chicken before baking helps lock in moisture and develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior that enhances taste and presentation.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F, preventing undercooking and potential foodborne illness.
- Reserved sun-dried tomato oil adds an extra layer of Mediterranean-inspired flavor when used for searing the chicken.
- Resting the chicken for 5 minutes after baking allows juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite remains tender and succulent.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg