Description
This stuffed chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts filled with a creamy mixture of spinach, cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, and garlic. The chicken is seared on the stovetop for a golden crust, then baked to juicy perfection, creating a delicious and impressive dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts
Filling
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken after searing.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix the chopped spinach, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Cut chicken pockets: Carefully cut a pocket into each chicken breast by slicing horizontally, ensuring not to cut all the way through to create a space to hold the filling.
- Stuff the chicken: Spoon the prepared cheese and spinach mixture evenly into each chicken breast pocket, pressing gently to fill the cavity fully.
- Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place each stuffed chicken breast in the skillet and sear for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown, which helps lock in juices and add flavor.
- Transfer to baking dish: Once seared, transfer the chicken breasts to a baking dish, arranging them so they cook evenly.
- Bake the chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is cooked through.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to distribute evenly.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking.
- If necessary, secure the pocket with toothpicks to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
- Feel free to add herbs like basil or oregano to the filling for extra flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
