Description
Succulent spinach stuffed chicken breast delivers a Mediterranean-inspired culinary experience with creamy cheese and tender chicken. Balanced flavors and simple preparation make this dish perfect for weeknight dinners you can enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups (475 ml) fresh spinach, chopped
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) olive oil
Seasonings:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the culinary workspace by heating the oven to a precise 375°F (190°C), ensuring an optimal cooking environment.
- Transform chicken breasts into butterfly-style cuts, creating a spacious pocket for the savory filling. Enhance flavor profiles with a delicate sprinkle of salt and pepper across the meat’s surface.
- Activate a skillet over medium heat, introducing olive oil to create a silky cooking medium. Gently wilt the spinach until it collapses and releases its vibrant green essence, then transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Blend the wilted spinach with creamy cream cheese, melty mozzarella, and aromatic minced garlic, crafting a luxurious and harmonious filling mixture.
- Carefully distribute the verdant spinach amalgamation into the prepared chicken breast cavities, ensuring an even and generous distribution of the flavorful stuffing.
- Secure the filled chicken breasts using toothpicks, preventing the delectable filling from escaping during the cooking process.
- Arrange the prepared chicken breasts on a baking sheet, positioning them to receive uniform heat distribution in the preheated oven.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the chicken reaches a perfect internal temperature and the exterior develops a golden, appetizing finish.
- Extract from the oven and allow a brief 5-minute resting period, permitting the juices to redistribute and intensify the overall flavor profile before serving.
Notes
- Butterfly chicken breasts carefully to ensure even thickness, which helps the chicken cook uniformly and prevents dry edges.
- When sautéing spinach, squeeze out excess moisture to prevent a watery filling that could make the chicken soggy.
- For a low-carb version, replace cream cheese with goat cheese or Greek yogurt for fewer calories and added protein.
- To enhance flavor, consider adding herbs like fresh basil or thyme to the spinach mixture, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg