Juicy Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast: Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipe

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Do you seek an elegant dinner meal that prepares quickly? This spinach stuffed chicken breast stands out because it presents elegant-looking yet swift-to-prepare tender chicken with creamy spinach filling. The recipe suits those evenings where you want tasty food immediately after a long day without devoting extended hours to cooking.

The Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast provides all reasons to become your new favorite dish.

The reader-approved stuffed chicken breast recipe is the star attraction because of its irresistible combination. Your homemade kitchen transforms restaurant-quality chicken with spinach filling into an amazing meal experience. The meal contains natural low-carbohydrate and high-protein content and allows early preparation for convenient future use.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Spinach Filling:

• Direct the use of 6 ounces optional fresh spinach chopped or 10 ounces of thawed drained frozen spinach as a filling ingredient.
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• The optional red pepper flakes measurement equals 1/4 teaspoon.
• ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

How to Make Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

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Preparing the Filling

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. You must sauté fresh spinach with a light drizzle of olive oil until it wilts in a frying pan for approximately two to three minutes. After cooling the mixture you need to press away the excess liquid.
3. Mix a bowl containing soft cream cheese with spinach, Parmesan, minced garlic and red pepper flakes and melted mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined.

Preparing the Chicken

1. Using paper towels dry the chicken breast surfaces.
2. Cut pockets into chicken breasts one by one while placing them on boards before making careful slices through their sides without breaking them.
3. Stir the Italian seasoning with garlic powder and paprika powder and add salt and pepper into a small bowl.
4. Apply the spice mixture to the external portions of chicken breasts before use.

Stuffing and Cooking

1. Spoon the spinach mixture evenly into each chicken pocket.
2. Insert toothpicks into the openings if required so that the filling remains inside the chicken breast.
3. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
5. Distribute the fresh mozzarella at the top of the chicken before moving to the baking oven.
6. Place the skillet in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes then check the temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F(74°C).
7. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before consumption time.

Tips for Perfect Stuffed Chicken

• A proper way to cook the chicken evenly lies in first using a mallet tool to achieve uniform thickness from end to end before you create the breast pocket.
  
• Reserve empty edges around the filling because filling will tend to leak through the opening.
• A meat thermometer should be used to verify that the chicken achieves 165°F as the correct internal temperature.
• The preparation of stuffed chicken breasts can be done in advance up to one day before cooking when stored in refrigeration.

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The appropriate side dishes for Spinach Stuffed Chicken

The adaptable main course fits perfectly with the following side dishes:

• Roasted garlic mashed potatoes
• Steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus
• A fresh garden salad
• Buttered pasta or rice pilaf

Storage and Reheating Instructions

After preparation place leftover stuffed chicken in an airtight food container which can be stored in the refrigerator for three days. Reheating this dish requires cooking it in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or using medium microwave power until you reach a fully heated consistency.

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Juicy Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast: Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipe

Recipe by RecipessentialCourse: dinner ideasDifficulty: Biginner

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

350

kcal

Total time

35

minutes

This Spinach Stuffed Chicken is a flavorful, juicy dish perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. Tender chicken breasts are filled with a creamy mixture of sautéed spinach, garlic, and melted cheese, then pan-seared to golden perfection. Each bite delivers a rich, savory taste with a hint of garlic and herbs. It’s an easy yet gourmet-style recipe that’s great for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Serve it with roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, or a side of rice for a delicious and wholesome meal! 🍽️✨

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• For the Spinach Filling:

• Direct the use of 6 ounces optional fresh spinach chopped or 10 ounces of thawed drained frozen spinach as a filling ingredient.

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• The optional red pepper flakes measurement equals 1/4 teaspoon

• ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

• Preparing the Filling
• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C)
• You must sauté fresh spinach with a light drizzle of olive oil until it wilts in a frying pan for approximately two to three minutes. After cooling the mixture you need to press away the excess liquid.
• Mix a bowl containing soft cream cheese with spinach, Parmesan, minced garlic and red pepper flakes and melted mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined.
• Preparing the Chicken
• Using paper towels dry the chicken breast surfaces.
• Cut pockets into chicken breasts one by one while placing them on boards before making careful slices through their sides without breaking them.
• Stir the Italian seasoning with garlic powder and paprika powder and add salt and pepper into a small bowl.
• Apply the spice mixture to the external portions of chicken breasts before use.
• Stuffing and Cooking
• Spoon the spinach mixture evenly into each chicken pocket.
• Insert toothpicks into the openings if required so that the filling remains inside the chicken breast.
• Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
• Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
• Distribute the fresh mozzarella at the top of the chicken before moving to the baking oven.
• Place the skillet in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes then check the temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F(74°C).
• Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before consumption time.

FAQ

The use of frozen spinach as an option for fresh spinach is possible ?

Yes! Thaw the spinach completely while gently removing all residual fluid through squeezing before you start using the spinach.

What indicators show me the chicken has achieved complete cooking?

The chicken needs complete cooking at 165°F (74°C) since the clear juice will flow when you needle the meat.

Does this recipe have feasibility for making it dairy-free?

Absolutely! The cream cheese substitute requires dairy-free cream cheese and you should remove the mozzarella or use a dairy-free cheese alternative instead.

Can I freeze stuffed chicken breasts?

The freezing process becomes possible either at an uncooked or cooked state. Each breast needs proper wrapping before going into the freezer for three months of freezing. Thaw completely before cooking.