Description
This Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breast recipe features tender chicken breasts filled with a savory mixture of sautéed mushrooms, garlic, thyme, spinach, and melted mozzarella cheese. The chicken is first seared to a golden brown before being baked to juicy perfection, making a delicious and elegant main dish perfect for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Breast
- 2 x 220g / 7oz chicken breast, skinless and boneless
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Mushroom Filling
- 30g / 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 200g / 7oz mushrooms, sliced 3mm thick (~2 heaped cups)
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/2 tsp thyme leaves
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 80g / 3oz mozzarella cheese, sliced (or other melting cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C/390°F (180°F for fan ovens) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken.
- Cut Chicken Pockets: Carefully cut a pocket into each chicken breast without cutting all the way through, creating space for the stuffing.
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle both sides and inside of the chicken pockets with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Prepare Mushroom Filling: In a skillet, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, 1/2 tsp thyme leaves, salt, and pepper. Cook until mushrooms are golden brown. Then add baby spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat.
- Stuff Chicken: Spoon the mushroom and spinach mixture into the pockets of the chicken breasts. Top the filling inside the pocket with slices of mozzarella cheese. Secure the openings using toothpicks to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts on both sides until they develop a golden-brown crust, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet directly to the preheated oven. Bake the chicken breasts for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 65°C/149°F, ensuring they are fully cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes to retain juices. Remove toothpicks and serve with your choice of side dishes.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken pockets are cut carefully to avoid cutting through the breast completely.
- Use an oven-safe skillet for easy transfer from stovetop to oven.
- You can substitute mozzarella with other melting cheeses like provolone or fontina.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked.
- Resting the chicken after baking helps maintain juiciness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
