Description
This Sundried Tomato, Spinach, and Cheese Stuffed Chicken recipe features juicy boneless chicken breasts filled with a flavorful mixture of spinach, sundried tomatoes, and a blend of creamy cheeses. Seared to golden perfection on the stovetop and finished in the oven, this dish is a delicious and elegant main course perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
- Toothpicks (for securing chicken)
Filling
- 1 cup spinach, chopped (fresh or frozen, squeezed dry)
- 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil or rehydrated)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken breasts after searing.
- Prepare the filling: In a mixing bowl, combine chopped spinach, sundried tomatoes, cream cheese, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well until fully incorporated.
- Create pockets in chicken breasts: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a horizontal pocket into the side of each chicken breast, making sure not to cut all the way through. This will hold the filling.
- Stuff the chicken: Spoon the prepared spinach and cheese mixture evenly into each chicken breast pocket. Secure the openings with toothpicks to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place each stuffed chicken breast in the skillet and sear for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until they have a golden brown crust.
- Bake the chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake the chicken for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Serve: Remove the toothpicks carefully before plating. Serve the stuffed chicken breasts warm with your preferred side dishes.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen spinach; if using frozen, ensure it is completely thawed and squeezed dry to avoid excess moisture.
- Sundried tomatoes packed in oil add richer flavor, but rehydrated dried tomatoes work well too.
- Make sure not to overfill the chicken breasts to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, sear the chicken in a regular pan, then transfer the breasts to a baking dish for the oven step.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
