Description
This Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast recipe combines tender boneless chicken breasts with a flavorful filling of fresh spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. The chicken is seared to a golden brown on the stovetop before finishing in the oven, resulting in juicy, cheesy, and savory stuffed chicken perfect for a wholesome dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine (for securing)
Filling
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken breasts after searing.
- Prepare filling: In a bowl, combine chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, mixing well to create a flavorful stuffing.
- Create chicken pockets: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a pocket into each chicken breast, making sure not to cut all the way through to hold the filling securely.
- Stuff chicken: Spoon and pack the spinach and cheese mixture tightly into each chicken pocket. Secure the openings with toothpicks or kitchen twine to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
- Sear chicken: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until beautifully golden brown, which locks in the juices.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet with the seared chicken to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is fully cooked through.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving to help retain the juices and enhance flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken to a baking dish after searing.
- Remove toothpicks or twine before serving to avoid accidents.
- Feel free to customize the filling by adding sun-dried tomatoes or herbs like basil.
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately check for doneness.
