Description
A delicious and healthy Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast recipe featuring tender chicken breasts filled with a flavorful mixture of sautéed spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs. This gluten-free, low-carb main course is perfect for a nutritious dinner and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Stuffing:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine for securing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the stuffed chicken.
- Sauté Spinach and Garlic: In a small skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and sauté the chopped spinach along with the minced garlic for 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach wilts. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the sautéed spinach and garlic with ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to incorporate all ingredients.
- Create Chicken Pockets: Carefully slice each chicken breast horizontally to make a pocket without cutting all the way through.
- Stuff Chicken Breasts: Fill each chicken pocket evenly with the spinach and cheese mixture. Secure the openings using toothpicks or kitchen twine to keep the filling inside while baking.
- Season and Arrange: Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a baking dish. Lightly season the tops with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Bake: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving, allowing the juices to redistribute for maximum flavor.
Notes
- For extra color and richer flavor, sear the stuffed chicken breasts in a hot skillet for 2 to 3 minutes per side before baking.
- Serve with roasted vegetables, pasta, or rice to complement the dish.
- Ensure not to overfill the chicken pockets to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness to avoid overcooking the chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
