Healthy Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

Savory Stuffed Chicken Breast, rich with cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, is a simple yet tasty meal.

Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

The Stuffed Chicken Breast from The Cozy Cook offers a hearty and creamy taste sensation, stuffed with a rich three-cheese blend, tender spinach, and flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, all wrapped up in succulent chicken. This recipe is not only delightful on the palate but also versatile for any dinner occasion, with the option to prepare in advance for a stress-free meal.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Filling

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3 cups packed spinach, roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained/chopped
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella, see notes
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan, grated
  • ½ teaspoon EACH: dried basil, dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes

Instructions

Prepare the Filling

  • Preheat oven to 375° F.
  • Add 1-2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach and garlic and cook until wilted, 3-4 minutes. Let cool.
  • Set the spinach/garlic and sundried tomatoes aside. Combine the remaining filling ingredients, then gently stir in the spinach/garlic and tomatoes. Set aside.

Prepare the Chicken

  • Pat the chicken dry. Use a sharp paring knife to create a pocket for the stuffing. (Slice the side of the chicken that has the fold on the bottom.) Be careful not to cut all the way through to the other side. (See process shots in blog post for a visual on what the pocket area looks like.)
  • Stuff each chicken breast with the filling. Sprinkle the top of the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is glistening and hot, add 2 chicken breasts at a time and sear each side until it begins to turn golden, 2-3 minutes.
  • Pro Tip: I use 2 spatulas to maneuver the chicken when flipping, it’s easier to handle gently.
  • The top and bottom of chicken will cook about halfway up but the middle will still be uncooked.

Bake

  • If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the chicken to a baking dish.
  • Bake at 375° for 17-20 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°. Rest for 5 minutes before serving with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans!

Serving Suggestions:

  • Smashed Potatoes
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Roasted Green Beans

Tips and Tricks

  • For thick chicken breasts, tenderize with a meat mallet to thin out slightly. This not only makes the chicken more tender but also helps in even cooking.
  • Grate the cheese from a block for superior melt and flavor. Particular cheese recommendations are Dragone whole milk low-moisture mozzarella and BelGioioso Parmesan.
  • Aim for just under half a cup of filling for each chicken breast to ensure a good balance between meat and stuffing.

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