Are you tired of bland, boring chicken dinners that leave you uninspired? Get ready to transform your kitchen into a gourmet restaurant with Mike's Stuffed Chicken Breasts - a mouthwatering recipe that combines creamy, cheesy goodness with perfectly cooked chicken in a way that will make your taste buds dance with joy! This restaurant-quality dish is surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to impress even the pickiest eaters at your table.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully create a pocket in each chicken breast by cutting horizontally through the thickest part, being careful not to cut all the way through. Season the inside and outside of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine chopped spinach, cream cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Stuff each chicken breast pocket generously with the spinach and cheese mixture, ensuring the filling is evenly distributed and the pocket is sealed.
- If needed, use toothpicks to secure the opening of the chicken breast and prevent the filling from leaking during cooking.
- Place the stuffed chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and the filling to set.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives before serving.
Tips
- Always use a sharp knife when creating the pocket in the chicken breast to ensure clean, even cuts.
- Make sure to thoroughly seal the chicken breast to prevent the delicious cheese and spinach filling from leaking during cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.
- For extra flavor, consider adding some herbs like fresh thyme or basil to your cheese mixture.
- If you're watching calories, you can use low-fat cream cheese and part-skim mozzarella without sacrificing taste.
- Toothpicks are your friend - use them to secure the chicken breast and keep the filling intact during baking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 515kcal
Carbohydrates: 2g
Protein: 65g
Fat: 29g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 220mg
