Description
Succulent spinach stuffed chicken breast combines Mediterranean flavors with creamy cheese and fresh herbs. Quick weeknight dinner promises rich taste and elegant presentation for home cooks seeking delightful protein options.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (8 oz / 226 g), boneless, skinless
- 6 oz (170 g) spinach, fresh, chopped
- 2 oz (57 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons salt, sea
- ½ teaspoon pepper, black
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tomato, Roma, medium, sliced into 8 thin slices
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 450°F, creating an ideal roasting environment for a crisp and succulent chicken experience.
- Chicken Prep: Meticulously dry chicken breasts, then lavishly season with sea salt and black pepper across entire surfaces, ensuring deep flavor penetration.
- Cavity Creation: Skillfully carve a horizontal pocket through each chicken breast, generating a spacious reservoir for the luxurious filling without compromising structural integrity.
- Spinach Transformation: Rapidly wilt spinach through microwave steaming or stovetop sautéing, then completely extract moisture to prevent diluting the filling’s rich consistency.
- Filling Composition: Blend softened cream cheese with minced garlic, then gently incorporate shredded mozzarella and prepared spinach, crafting a harmonious and creamy mixture.
- Stuffing Technique: Delicately fill each chicken breast cavity with the spinach-cheese fusion, strategically securing openings with toothpicks to maintain structural integrity during cooking.
- Searing Stage: Activate a cast iron skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, expertly caramelizing chicken breasts until a golden exterior emerges, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
- Embellishment: Crown each chicken breast with fresh tomato slices and an additional mozzarella cheese sprinkle, enhancing visual appeal and flavor complexity.
- Roasting Finale: Transfer skillet directly into preheated oven, roasting until chicken achieves a guaranteed safe internal temperature of 165°F, with an optional broiler activation for 1-3 minutes to create a perfectly golden and bubbling cheese topping.
- Serving Presentation: Carefully extract toothpicks and serve the aromatic, masterfully prepared chicken breasts, ready to delight discerning palates.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Thoroughly squeeze spinach to prevent soggy filling, ensuring a perfectly textured stuffed chicken.
- Pocket Precision: Create a spacious horizontal cavity without cutting through the entire chicken breast, maintaining structural integrity.
- Searing Secrets: Use a cast iron skillet for optimal caramelization and even heat distribution, developing a rich golden-brown exterior.
- Temperature Triumph: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exact 165°F internal temperature, guaranteeing safe and juicy results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg