Stuffed Chicken Breast Spinach Cheese (Print Format)
Chicken filled with creamy cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, baked to juicy perfection.
# Ingredients:
01 -
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 -
Salt and pepper, to taste
03 -
½ teaspoon paprika
04 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Filling
05 -
2 teaspoons olive oil
06 -
3 cups packed spinach, roughly chopped
07 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
08 -
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
09 -
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
10 -
1 cup shredded mozzarella
11 -
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 -
½ teaspoon dried basil
13 -
½ teaspoon dried oregano
14 -
¼ teaspoon onion powder
15 -
1 pinch red pepper flakes
# Steps:
01 -
Instead of olive oil, use reserved oil from the sun-dried tomatoes for additional flavor.
02 -
Sear the chicken in a cast iron or oven-safe skillet to eliminate transferring to another dish before baking.
03 -
Preheat oven to 375° F. Heat 1-2 teaspoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add spinach and garlic; cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Let cool. Set spinach/garlic and sun-dried tomatoes aside. Combine cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, dried basil, dried oregano, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Gently stir in spinach/garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Set aside.
04 -
Pat chicken dry. Use a sharp paring knife to cut a pocket on the side of each chicken breast, being careful not to cut through. Stuff each chicken breast with the prepared filling. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
05 -
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear 2 chicken breasts at a time for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden. Use two spatulas to gently flip the chicken. The tops and bottoms should be halfway cooked, while the centers remain uncooked.
06 -
If using a skillet that is not oven-safe, transfer chicken to a baking dish. Bake uncovered at 375° F for 17-20 minutes, or until the thickest portion of the meat reaches 165° F. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes prior to serving with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans.
# Tips:
01 -
Use reserved oil from sun-dried tomatoes for enhanced flavor.
02 -
Searing the chicken in an oven-safe skillet saves time and effort.