Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Chicken (Printable)
Chicken breasts filled with creamy spinach, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes, seared then baked to golden perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Filling
06 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 2 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
09 - 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
→ To Finish
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
14 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
02 - Using a sharp knife, cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast, being careful not to slice all the way through.
03 - Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, chopped spinach, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
05 - Fill each chicken breast pocket generously with the spinach-cheese mixture. Secure the openings with toothpicks if needed to keep the filling enclosed.
06 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
07 - Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (or move the chicken to a baking dish). Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
08 - Remove toothpicks, garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley if desired, and serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cream cheese and mozzarella melt together into something so gooey and rich that you will want to eat the filling straight from the bowl before it ever reaches the chicken.
- Sun-dried tomatoes bring a tangy, slightly sweet punch that makes this taste like something you would order at a coastal Italian restaurant.
02 -
- If you overstuff the chicken the filling will leak out during searing, which is still delicious but messy, so be generous but reasonable.
- An oven-safe skillet saves you from washing an extra dish and keeps the seared flavor on the chicken rather than transferring it to a cold pan.
03 -
- Toothpicks are your best friend here, and you should count how many you put in so none stay hidden when you serve.
- Let the cream cheese soften fully because cold cream cheese leaves lumps in the filling that never fully melt during baking.