There are dozens of ways to upgrade an ordinary chicken breast into a delicious meal – and stuffed chicken breast with spinach and cheese is one of my favorite ways. Easy to assemble and make ahead, getting deliciously moist chicken breast that’s packed with flavor has never been so simple.
How to make stuffed chicken breast
Preheat the oven to 375ºF/190ºC. Prepare the Filling: Add the fresh spinach to a large, dry pan. Turn on the heat and cover the leaves until they wilt – the heat will get them to release water and the steam will wilt the spinach. You don’t need any oil or water. Once the spinach has wilted (reduced in size), chop the spinach into smaller pieces. Then, chop up the sundried tomatoes and basil leaves into small pieces. In a small bowl, mix them with the cream cheese, parmesan, mozzarella, oregano, lemon zest, garlic powder, and chili flakes. Prepare the Chicken: Make a single long cut horizontally through the middle of the chicken breast, ensuring you stop before cutting entirely through the meat. You need to form a pocket (refer to the image below). Then season the chicken breast from all sides and inside with the paprika, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice. Stuff the chicken: Fill each of the chicken breasts with ¼ of the spinach and cheese mixture until all the cream cheese mixture has been used between the 4 breasts. Be careful not to over-stuff. Cook: In a large pan or skillet, add the olive oil and sauté the stuffed chicken breasts on medium-high heat, turning them on both sides until you achieve a golden brown exterior. Then, put the pan directly into the oven and bake at 375ºF/190ºC for a further 20 minutes to ensure the inside is cooked. When fully cooked, the chicken will have an internal temperature of 165°F/ 74°C. Check the thickest part of the chicken with a meat thermometer or ensure the juices run clear when pierced with a fork/knife before removing it from the oven.
What to serve with stuffed chicken breasts
An easy stuffed chicken breast needs equally easy sides to serve with it:
Potatoes: Pile high mashed or roasted potatoes alongside these stuffed chicken breasts, or experiment with creamy gratin potatoes or crispy smashed potatoes. Veggies: Pair with other green veggies to compliment the spinach like green beans, broccoli, snow peas, or grilled romaine lettuce for extra crunch. Or try it with roasted parsnips for added sweetness. Comfort Food Sides: Try adding other comforting and creamy sides to make a delicious dish – macaroni cheese, biscuits, and creamed corn compliment the chicken wonderfully. Salads: For an easy lunch (and a great way to serve leftovers), enjoy the stuffed chicken breasts with a wholesome side salad.
If you try this recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
