Imagine a culinary journey that transports you to the sun-drenched coastlines of the Mediterranean with just one bite. This Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast isn't just a meal—it's an experience that combines vibrant flavors, exotic ingredients, and restaurant-quality elegance right in your own kitchen. Packed with tangy feta, rich sun-dried tomatoes, and briny olives, this recipe promises to elevate your weeknight dinner from ordinary to extraordinary, all in just 40 minutes!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olives
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients by finely chopping sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and fresh parsley. Crumble the feta cheese into small pieces.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully create a pocket in each chicken breast by cutting horizontally, ensuring not to slice completely through the meat. Season the chicken breasts inside and outside with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
- Mix the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, olives, crumbled feta, and half of the chopped parsley inside the chicken breast pockets. Secure the openings with toothpicks to prevent the stuffing from falling out.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Transfer the skillet with chicken into the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While the chicken is baking, prepare the couscous. Bring vegetable broth to a boil in a separate pot, remove from heat, add couscous, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Remove chicken from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Remove toothpicks before serving.
- Plate the chicken over a bed of prepared couscous, garnish with remaining fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Tips
- Ensure even stuffing by creating a wide, shallow pocket in the chicken breast without cutting completely through the meat.
- Use toothpicks strategically to seal the chicken breast and prevent the delicious filling from escaping during cooking.
- For the most tender result, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute.
- Choose high-quality feta cheese for the most authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
- If you don't have vegetable broth for couscous, you can substitute with water and add a pinch of salt for flavor.
- Check chicken's internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches the safe 165°F (74°C).
- For a crispy exterior, pat the chicken breasts dry before seasoning and searing.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 110mg
