Description
Flavorful stuffed chicken breasts packed with Mediterranean herbs and creamy cheese deliver a gourmet dinner experience. Mediterranean ingredients and simple techniques make this recipe an elegant yet approachable meal you’ll want to savor repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheeses:
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 cup spinach (fresh or cooked)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Gently unfold each chicken breast like a book, creating a butterfly cut without separating the halves completely.
- Blend the creamy filling ingredients – spinach, cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, minced garlic, salt, and pepper – into a smooth, consistent mixture.
- Carefully spread the filling into each chicken breast’s inner cavity, ensuring even distribution.
- Secure the stuffed chicken breasts with toothpicks to prevent the filling from escaping during cooking.
- Generously coat the exterior of the chicken with a seasoning blend of smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare an oven-safe skillet with olive oil over medium heat.
- Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust forms.
- Transfer the skillet directly into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Verify the chicken’s doneness by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165F (74C).
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before removing toothpicks and serving.
Notes
- Prep chicken breasts carefully to ensure even filling distribution without tearing the meat.
- Use toothpicks strategically to keep the stuffing sealed during cooking, preventing cheese leakage.
- Choose low-fat cream cheese and part-skim mozzarella for a lighter version of this indulgent dish, perfect for health-conscious eaters.
- For gluten-free requirements, confirm all ingredients are certified gluten-free and avoid using any wheat-based seasonings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg