Quick & Juicy Sun Dried Tomato Feta Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Sun-dried tomato feta stuffed chicken brings Mediterranean magic to your dinner table, enhanceing an ordinary protein into a culinary adventure.
Vibrant Mediterranean flavors dance through each tender bite, promising an irresistible meal that awakens your taste buds.
Bold ingredients collaborate to create a sensational dish that feels both elegant and approachable.
Juicy chicken becomes a canvas for tangy feta and intensely concentrated sun-dried tomatoes, blending classic Mediterranean ingredients with modern cooking techniques.
Unexpected flavor combinations elevate this recipe from simple weeknight fare to something truly memorable.
Home cooks can easily master this technique, turning basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece.
Comfort meets sophistication in a single, mouth-watering presentation that guarantees impressed dinner guests.
Sun Dried Tomato Feta Stuffed Chicken With Bold Flavor
Burst with Flavor Fusion: Sun-dried tomatoes and feta create a tangy, Mediterranean-inspired taste explosion that transforms ordinary chicken into a gourmet experience.
Effortless Elegance Technique: The pocket-stuffing method allows home cooks to easily add restaurant-quality presentation without complicated culinary skills, making impressive meals simple.
Quick Weeknight Wonder: From prep to plate, this recipe delivers a delicious dinner in under 45 minutes, perfect for busy families craving something more exciting than basic chicken dishes.
Nutritional Powerhouse Meal: Packed with protein from chicken, calcium from feta, and antioxidants from sun-dried tomatoes, this dish offers a balanced and wholesome dining option that doesn't compromise on taste.
All the Ingredients for Feta Chicken That Pops
Main Protein:
Chicken Breasts: Lean protein base that provides a delicious canvas for stuffing, preferably fresh and of similar size for even cooking.
Stuffing Ingredients:
Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Feta Cheese: Tangy and rich filling that adds Mediterranean flavor and creamy texture to the chicken.
Parsley: Fresh herb that brings brightness and color to the stuffing mixture.
Seasoning and Cooking Ingredients:
Pesto: Provides herbal and garlic flavor, helps in binding the stuffing and creating a moist exterior.
Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the chicken.
Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and creates a nice golden-brown sear on the chicken.
Cooking Accessories:
Toothpicks: Used to secure the stuffing inside the chicken breast and prevent leakage during cooking.
How to Stuff and Bake Chicken With Sun-Dried Tomato Filling
Step 1: Butterfly The Chicken Breasts
Lay chicken breasts on a cutting board
Use a sharp knife to slice horizontally through the center
Open each breast like a book without separating completely
Gently pound to create an even thickness
Step 2: Prepare Flavorful Filling
Ingredients for filling:
Sun-dried tomatoes
Crumbled feta cheese
Fresh parsley
Basil pesto
Salt
Black pepper
Finely chop ingredients and mix in a bowl until well combined
Step 3: Assemble Stuffed Chicken
Spread filling evenly inside each chicken breast
Fold chicken back to original shape
Secure edges with kitchen twine or toothpicks
Brush exterior with additional pesto
Sprinkle with salt and pepper
Step 4: Sear and Bake Chicken
Heat cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat
Add olive oil
Place chicken breasts in pan
Sear each side until golden brown
Transfer skillet to preheated oven
Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes
Check internal temperature reaches 165°F
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving
Step 5: Garnish And Serve
Slice chicken diagonally
Sprinkle with fresh herbs
Add lemon wedges on side
Tips for Juicy Stuffed Chicken With Flavor in Every Bite
Create Clean Pockets: Use a very sharp knife and slice slowly when creating chicken breast pockets to avoid tearing the meat, ensuring even and neat stuffing areas.
Balance Stuffing Carefully: Overfilling can cause cheese and tomato mixture to leak, so gently press ingredients and use toothpicks to seal openings securely.
Control Cooking Temperature: Medium-low heat prevents burning while allowing chicken to cook thoroughly, keeping the stuffed filling moist and flavorful.
Check Internal Temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked protein without drying out.
Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, creating more tender and delicious meat with enhanced taste profiles.
Best Way to Reheat Stuffed Chicken Without Drying
Refrigerate: Quickly cool the stuffed chicken to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze: Wrap individual chicken breasts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
Reheat: Gently warm in the microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, checking to prevent drying out. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the chicken remains juicy and flavorful.
Side Ideas That Elevate Your Feta Stuffed Chicken
Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the rich, savory flavors of sun-dried tomato and feta with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, cutting through the creamy cheese and enhancing the pesto's herbal notes.
Serve Alongside Mediterranean Salad: Create a refreshing side with mixed greens, cucumber, kalamata olives, and a light lemon vinaigrette that echoes the dish's Mediterranean ingredients and provides a bright contrast to the chicken's robust flavors.
Match with Roasted Garlic Herb Potatoes: Prepare golden, crispy potatoes roasted with rosemary and thyme to absorb the delicious pesto and tomato juices, offering a hearty accompaniment that balances the protein-packed chicken.
Finish with Chilled Citrus Dessert: End the meal with a light lemon sorbet or orange granita to cleanse the palate, providing a zesty and refreshing finish that complements the rich, savory main course.
Flavor Additions for a New Stuffed Chicken Twist
Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace sun-dried tomatoes with roasted red peppers and swap feta for goat cheese, adding fresh oregano and thyme for an elevated Mediterranean flavor profile.
Spinach Mediterranean Blend: Incorporate chopped fresh spinach with the feta mixture, introducing extra nutrients and creating a more vibrant green filling for the chicken breasts.
Spicy Southwestern Remix: Mix in diced jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese instead of feta, and substitute pesto with chipotle sauce for a zesty southwestern-inspired stuffed chicken experience.
Greek-Inspired Kalamata Upgrade: Chop kalamata olives into the feta mixture, sprinkle additional dried Greek oregano, and use a touch of lemon zest to brighten the overall chicken preparation.
Mediterranean-inspired sun dried tomato feta stuffed chicken delivers a symphony of tangy and creamy flavors in one elegant dish. Juicy chicken breasts embrace zesty tomatoes and crumbled feta, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 ounces (113 grams) crumbled feta cheese
4 ounces (113 grams) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, strained and diced
Herbs and Seasonings:
2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, minced
Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Cooking and Coating Ingredients:
3 tablespoons pesto
⅓ cup pesto (to coat chicken)
2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
Craft a precise pocket in each chicken breast by carefully slicing horizontally into the thickest section, maintaining the integrity of the outer edges.
Create a vibrant filling by thoroughly blending sun-dried tomatoes, feta, pesto, and parsley into a cohesive mixture.
Delicately season the interior of each chicken pocket with salt and pepper, ensuring balanced flavor penetration.
Generously fill each chicken breast cavity with the prepared tomato-feta mixture, gently pressing to distribute evenly without tearing the meat.
Secure the stuffed pockets using toothpicks to prevent filling from escaping during cooking.
Massage the exterior of each chicken breast with additional pesto, enhancing the overall aromatic profile.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, creating an ideal searing environment.
Carefully place stuffed chicken breasts into the hot pan, allowing a golden crust to develop on each side.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and continue cooking, periodically turning the chicken to ensure uniform browning and thorough cooking.
Monitor internal temperature, aiming for 165°F (75°C), which typically requires 20-25 minutes depending on breast thickness.
Uncover during the final cooking moments to achieve a beautifully caramelized exterior.
Remove toothpicks before serving and let the chicken rest briefly to retain moisture.
Notes
Prep like a pro by creating a clean, precise pocket in chicken breasts without piercing sides, ensuring perfect stuffing containment.
Mixing sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and pesto creates an explosion of Mediterranean flavors that elevate this simple chicken dish.
Secure stuffed pockets with toothpicks to prevent delicious filling from leaking during cooking, maintaining a beautiful presentation.
Medium-low heat and covered pan technique guarantees juicy, evenly cooked chicken without drying out the delicate meat.
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F, preventing undercooked chicken and ensuring food safety.
Removing the lid during final cooking minutes allows beautiful golden-brown exterior, adding appetizing color and slight crispness to the chicken’s surface.
Dublin Institute of Technology (now Technological University Dublin)
Program: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in cooking techniques, kitchen management, and exploring both Irish and international cuisines.
Ballymaloe Cookery School, County Cork, Ireland
Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
Focus: Farm-to-table cooking, emphasizing the use of fresh, local ingredients and traditional cooking methods.
Liam O’Brien is the co-founder and kitchen soul behind Good Tasting Meals, a chef who believes that cooking shouldn’t feel stressful or complicated.
He earned his culinary stripes at Technological University Dublin and polished his farm-to-table skills at Ballymaloe Cookery School. With over 15 years flipping pans and stirring up stories, Liam has worked in family cafés, bustling bistros, and everything in between.
At Good Tasting Meals, Liam brings you recipes that feel like home: cozy, simple, and full of flavor.
Liam O’Brien
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Education
Dublin Institute of Technology (now Technological University Dublin)
Ballymaloe Cookery School, County Cork, Ireland
Liam O’Brien is the co-founder and kitchen soul behind Good Tasting Meals, a chef who believes that cooking shouldn’t feel stressful or complicated.
He earned his culinary stripes at Technological University Dublin and polished his farm-to-table skills at Ballymaloe Cookery School. With over 15 years flipping pans and stirring up stories, Liam has worked in family cafés, bustling bistros, and everything in between.
At Good Tasting Meals, Liam brings you recipes that feel like home: cozy, simple, and full of flavor.