Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons olive oil for the filling
3 cups packed chopped spinach
4 cloves minced garlic
1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained)
4 ounces softened cream cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
1-First, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and gather your ingredients. This sets the stage for even cooking and helps everything go smoothly. Heat 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add the spinach and garlic and sauté until wilted, about 3 to 4 minutes. Let it cool before moving on.
2-Next, in a bowl, combine the cooled spinach and garlic with the sun-dried tomatoes and the other filling ingredients like cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, oregano, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Pat the chicken breasts dry and carefully slice a pocket into the side of each one without cutting all the way through.
3-Stuff each pocket with the prepared filling and season the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil or oil from the sun-dried tomatoes in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken breasts, two at a time, for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
4-If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the chicken to a baking dish and bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for 17 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Finally, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in the juices.
Notes
🔨 Tenderize thick chicken breasts with a meat mallet for added tenderness.
🧀 Use freshly shredded cheese for better melt and flavor.
🍄 Optional additions include sautéed mushrooms, bacon, or feta cheese for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and searing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None specified
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 559
- Sugar: 5 grams
- Sodium: 701 milligrams
- Fat: 30 grams
- Saturated Fat: 13 grams
- Trans Fat: 0.03 grams
- Carbohydrates: 10 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 61 grams
- Cholesterol: 203 milligrams
