Description
Homemade spinach ricotta stuffed chicken brings Italian culinary magic to weeknight dinners. Mediterranean flavors combine with simple ingredients, creating a restaurant-quality meal that delights palates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 2 cups (480 ml) spinach (fresh, chopped)
- ½ cup (120 ml) ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) mozzarella (shredded)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Parmesan (grated)
- ½ cup (120 ml) onion (yellow, diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil (divided)
- 1 egg yolk
- kosher salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), creating an optimal cooking environment for chicken transformation.
- Chicken Preparation: Pat chicken breasts dry and delicately slice a pocket along the thickest portion, maintaining structural integrity while preparing for flavor infusion.
- Aromatic Foundation: In a skillet with olive oil over medium heat, sauté diced onions and minced garlic, then introduce chopped spinach and parsley, allowing ingredients to wilt and meld together.
- Cheese Mixture Creation: Blend ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg yolk, oregano, and nutmeg into a luxurious mixture, then incorporate the cooled spinach blend for a harmonious filling.
- Stuffing and Seasoning: Generously season chicken with kosher salt and black pepper, carefully stuff each breast pocket with the cheese-spinach mixture, securing with toothpicks if needed.
- Searing and Cooking: Increase skillet heat to medium-high, add remaining olive oil, and sear chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer skillet directly to preheated oven.
- Final Cooking and Resting: Bake for 16-20 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer, then allow chicken to rest 3-5 minutes for optimal juiciness and flavor distribution.
Notes
- Precision Matters: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches exact 165°F (74°C) for safe, perfect doneness.
- Moisture Magic: Pat chicken breasts thoroughly dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden exterior and better sear.
- Pocket Perfection: Create a clean, careful pocket cut without piercing through the chicken, maintaining structural integrity for optimal stuffing.
- Resting Ritual: Let chicken rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor throughout the meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg