Imagine cutting into a perfectly golden chicken breast and revealing a molten center of gooey mozzarella and savory ham, all nestled in a rich, vibrant tomato sauce. This Italian-inspired stuffed chicken recipe transforms an ordinary dinner into a restaurant-quality masterpiece that will have your family and guests begging for seconds. With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you'll create a meal that looks and tastes like it was crafted by a professional chef.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 4 slices ham
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with olive oil.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully create a pocket in each chicken breast by cutting horizontally, ensuring not to cut all the way through. Season the inside and outside of each chicken breast with salt and pepper.
- Place a slice of ham inside each chicken breast pocket, then generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the ham, filling the pocket completely.
- Secure the chicken breast openings with toothpicks or kitchen twine to prevent the filling from falling out during cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a light golden-brown color.
- Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish. Pour tomato sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring each breast is partially covered.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Remove toothpicks or kitchen twine before serving.
- Plate the chicken breasts and spoon additional warm tomato sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Tips
- • Always use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for food safety • When creating the pocket in the chicken breast, use a sharp knife and cut slowly to prevent tearing • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a better sear • Don't overstuff the chicken - leave some room for the cheese to melt • Let the chicken rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness • For extra flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like basil or thyme inside the stuffing • If you don't have kitchen twine, toothpicks work perfectly to seal the chicken pockets
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 45g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 130mg
