Description
Spinach Stuffed Chicken is a quick, flavorful, and healthy dinner option featuring tender chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy mixture of fresh spinach, cream cheese, garlic, and Parmesan. This dish combines vibrant colors, textures, and delicious tastes that make it perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Easy to prepare and versatile, it can be customized with different cheeses, greens, and herbs to suit your preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach Filling: Wash the fresh spinach thoroughly and cook it in a skillet with a touch of olive oil and minced garlic until wilted. Drain any excess moisture, then mix the cooked spinach with cream cheese and grated Parmesan until creamy and well combined.
- Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Using a sharp knife, carefully slice each chicken breast horizontally to create a pocket without cutting all the way through. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a mild spice.
- Stuff the Chicken: Fill each chicken pocket generously with the spinach and cheese mixture, pressing gently to distribute it evenly without tearing the meat. Secure the opening with toothpicks if necessary to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the stuffed chicken breasts on both sides until golden brown. Then transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the filling is hot and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and juicy meat when sliced.
Notes
- Dry spinach thoroughly to avoid soggy stuffing by squeezing out all excess moisture.
- Use a sharp knife for clean cuts when slicing chicken to make stuffing easier without tearing.
- Don’t overstuff the pockets; fill generously but avoid bulging chicken breasts for even cooking.
- Allow the cooked chicken to rest before slicing to lock in juices and flavor.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like feta, mozzarella, or goat cheese for varied textures and flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: spinach stuffed chicken, healthy chicken recipe, stuffed chicken breast, gluten free dinner, quick chicken recipe