Description
Succulent chicken breasts filled with rich spinach and melted cheese create an irresistible dinner experience. Crispy exterior and creamy interior promise a delightful meal that brings comfort and elegance to your table in just one bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, about 7 ounces (198 grams) each
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese, about 4 ounces (113 grams) total
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
Seasonings and Spices:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Cooking Liquids and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach or ½ cup frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, creating an ideal roasting environment for the chicken breasts.
- Carefully butterfly each chicken breast by slicing horizontally, creating a pocket without cutting completely through the meat.
- In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine chopped spinach, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, minced garlic, and grated parmesan, ensuring a uniform and creamy filling.
- Gently stuff the prepared cheese and spinach mixture into the chicken breast pockets, using your fingers to distribute evenly and seal the edges.
- Season the exterior of the stuffed chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Dredge each stuffed chicken breast in seasoned flour, then dip into beaten eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumbs for a crispy exterior.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a golden-brown crust on the chicken breasts before transferring to a baking dish.
- Transfer the skillet-seared chicken to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, enabling the juices to redistribute and maintain moisture.
- Plate the stuffed chicken breasts and garnish with fresh parsley or additional grated parmesan for a visually appealing presentation.
Notes
- Marinate chicken breasts overnight in a zesty blend of herbs and olive oil for deeper flavor infusion.
- Carefully butterfly each chicken breast to create a perfect pocket for the creamy spinach and cheese mixture.
- Secure stuffed chicken with toothpicks before baking to prevent filling from spilling during cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg