Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast: A Flavorful, Simple, and Quick Dinner
When it comes to cooking, finding dishes that are both simple and delicious can sometimes feel like a challenge. But with this Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast recipe, you’ll discover how easy it is to create a meal that’s bursting with flavor while still being quick and straightforward to prepare. With only six basic ingredients and 30 minutes of your time, this dish is perfect for anyone looking for a healthy, satisfying, and crowd-pleasing dinner. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight family meal, hosting guests, or just preparing something special for yourself, Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast is sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking, Searing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (4 pieces, 8 oz each): Chicken breasts are the perfect canvas for this recipe. They’re tender, lean, and provide the perfect vessel for stuffing. When cooked properly, they yield a juicy interior that complements the creamy filling. Chicken breasts also offer a neutral flavor, allowing the spinach and cheese mixture to shine.
- Sea Salt (2 tsp) and Black Pepper (1/2 tsp): These seasonings are essential for bringing out the natural flavors of the chicken. Seasoning the chicken on both sides ensures that every bite has a burst of flavor from the start. The salt enhances the savory taste of the chicken, while the black pepper adds a slight kick.
- Fresh Spinach (6 oz, chopped): Spinach is the key vegetable here, and it provides a fresh, slightly earthy flavor that balances the richness of the cream cheese. When cooked, spinach wilts down significantly, making it perfect for stuffing. Plus, it adds a healthy, vibrant green color to the dish.
- Cream Cheese (2 oz, softened): Cream cheese brings a smooth, rich, and slightly tangy flavor to the filling. Its creamy texture binds the spinach and garlic together, making it the ideal base for the stuffing. As it melts, it infuses the chicken with a delicious, velvety richness.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Garlic adds an aromatic and savory depth to the spinach filling. It’s one of those ingredients that transforms a simple dish into something extraordinary with just a small amount. Mince the garlic finely to release its full flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese (1 cup, shredded): Mozzarella is a classic choice for this recipe because it melts beautifully, creating that irresistible gooey, cheesy goodness on top of the chicken. It also adds a mild, creamy flavor that balances the garlic and spinach.
- Olive Oil (1 tbsp): Olive oil is essential for searing the chicken breasts. The oil creates a golden-brown crust on the outside of the chicken, sealing in the juices and ensuring that the meat stays tender and juicy. It also adds a slight fruity flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Roma Tomato (1 medium, sliced into 8 thin slices): Tomatoes add a burst of freshness and a light tanginess to the dish. Placing a slice of tomato on top of each chicken breast before baking helps balance the richness of the filling and adds a touch of color to the dish.
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 450°F (232°C). This high temperature is ideal for getting a nice sear on the chicken and ensuring it cooks quickly and evenly.
2. Prepare the Chicken Breasts
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This helps the seasoning stick and allows for a better sear. Season both sides of the chicken with sea salt and black pepper, ensuring that the seasoning is evenly distributed. Then, carefully cut a horizontal slit in the thickest part of each chicken breast, creating a pocket. Be sure not to cut all the way through the chicken, as the goal is to create a space to hold the spinach filling.
3. Wilt the Spinach
Place the chopped spinach into a large microwave-safe bowl. Steam the spinach in the microwave for 2-3 minutes until it wilts down. Alternatively, you can sauté the spinach in a pan on the stove for about 3-5 minutes until it softens. Once the spinach has wilted, set it aside to cool for a few minutes until it’s safe to handle.
4. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
While the spinach cools, soften the cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds. In a large bowl, mash the softened cream cheese and minced garlic together until smooth. Once the cream cheese and garlic are combined, stir in half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, creating a creamy, cheesy mixture that will hold the spinach together.
5. Combine Spinach and Cream Cheese
Once the spinach has cooled enough to handle, squeeze out any excess water by pressing it over the sink. This step is essential to prevent the filling from being too watery. Stir the spinach into the cream cheese mixture until everything is fully combined. The result is a thick, creamy filling with a perfect balance of flavors from the garlic and spinach.
6. Stuff the Chicken
Stuff each chicken breast with the spinach and cream cheese mixture, ensuring the filling is evenly distributed. Use toothpicks to secure the opening of each chicken breast, holding the filling inside while it cooks.
7. Sear the Chicken
In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the stuffed chicken breasts. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. This step creates a delicious crust on the chicken and locks in the moisture, keeping the meat tender and juicy.
8. Top with Tomato and Cheese
While the chicken is searing, slice the Roma tomato into thin slices. Once the chicken is golden brown, top each piece with two slices of tomato and two tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese. The tomato slices add a burst of freshness, while the mozzarella cheese melts beautifully on top, creating a gooey, cheesy finish.
9. Bake the Chicken
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the chicken for about 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature, ensuring it’s inserted into the chicken and not the filling. If you want the cheese to be more golden and crispy, you can place the chicken under the broiler for 1-3 minutes for that extra melt and browning.
Notes
- Leafy Greens Alternatives: If you’re not a fan of spinach, try substituting it with kale, Swiss chard, or even arugula. Each leafy green offers its own unique flavor, but they all work wonderfully as a stuffing ingredient.
- Cheese Options: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses. A sharp cheddar would add a tangy twist, while Parmesan would provide a nutty, salty flavor. Combining a few different cheeses can also bring additional depth to the dish.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano can enhance the flavor of the spinach filling. Try adding a teaspoon of dried herbs or a handful of fresh herbs for a fragrant, herbaceous boost.
- Low-Carb Option: If you’re following a low-carb or keto diet, this dish is naturally low in carbs, making it a great option. Skip the tomato topping for fewer carbs, or pair it with a side of cauliflower rice for a low-carb accompaniment.