Garlic Lemon Double Stuffed Chicken: A Flavor Explosion!

This Garlic Lemon Double Stuffed Chicken recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! It’s packed with flavor, surprisingly easy to make, and looks absolutely stunning on a plate. Imagine juicy chicken breasts bursting with a creamy, garlicky cheese filling, topped with a bright and zesty lemon herb butter. This isn’t just dinner; it’s an experience!

## Why You’ll Love This Double Stuffed Chicken

* **Incredible Flavor:** The combination of garlic, lemon, herbs, and cheese creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
* **Impressive Presentation:** This dish looks like it came straight out of a fancy restaurant, yet it’s simple enough for a weeknight meal.
* **Versatile:** Serve it with your favorite sides, from roasted vegetables to creamy mashed potatoes, for a complete and satisfying meal.
* **Relatively Healthy:** Chicken breast is a lean protein, and the ingredients used are mostly fresh and wholesome.
* **Customizable:** Feel free to adjust the herbs, cheeses, and spices to suit your own preferences.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

**For the Chicken:**

* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each)
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

**For the Cheese Filling:**

* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

**For the Lemon Herb Butter:**

* 4 tablespoons (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 tablespoon lemon zest
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano)
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Cutting board
* Sharp knife
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Baking dish (9×13 inch or similar)
* Plastic wrap (optional, for flattening chicken)

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s get cooking! Follow these detailed instructions to create the perfect Garlic Lemon Double Stuffed Chicken.

**Step 1: Prepare the Chicken**

1. **Pound the Chicken (Optional but Recommended):** Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This helps the chicken cook evenly and makes it easier to stuff. Be careful not to pound it too thin, or it will tear.
2. **Create the Pockets:** Carefully use a sharp knife to cut a horizontal slit into the side of each chicken breast, creating a pocket. Be careful not to cut all the way through – you want to create a pouch, not two separate pieces. Then, cut another horizontal slit into the *other* side of the chicken breast, creating a second pocket. You should now have two pockets in each chicken breast.
3. **Season the Chicken:** Lightly brush the chicken breasts with olive oil, then season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides and inside the pockets.

**Step 2: Make the Cheese Filling**

1. **Combine the Ingredients:** In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Make sure the cream cheese is properly softened; otherwise you will have a lumpy filling.
2. **Mix Well:** Use a fork or spoon to mix all the ingredients together until well combined and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

**Step 3: Prepare the Lemon Herb Butter**

1. **Combine the Ingredients:** In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, and chopped fresh herbs.
2. **Mix Well:** Use a fork to mash and mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a tiny pinch of sugar to balance the tartness if you like.

**Step 4: Stuff the Chicken**

1. **Fill the Pockets:** Use a spoon to carefully fill each of the two pockets in each chicken breast with the cheese filling. Distribute the filling evenly between the two pockets. Don’t overstuff the pockets, or the filling might ooze out during baking.
2. **Secure the Chicken (Optional):** If you’re concerned about the filling leaking out, you can use toothpicks to secure the opening of the pockets. Just remember to remove the toothpicks before serving.

**Step 5: Bake the Chicken**

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Prepare the Baking Dish:** Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish (or a similar size) with cooking spray or olive oil.
3. **Arrange the Chicken:** Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, making sure they are not overcrowded.
4. **Top with Lemon Herb Butter:** Evenly spread the lemon herb butter over the top of each chicken breast. This will add flavor and moisture while the chicken bakes. You can gently press the butter into the chicken to help it adhere.
5. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken to check the temperature. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
6. **Rest:** Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.

## Tips for Success

* **Don’t Overcook:** Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to the correct internal temperature.
* **Soften the Cream Cheese:** Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing the filling. This will make it easier to combine with the other ingredients and prevent lumps.
* **Use Fresh Herbs:** Fresh herbs will add the most flavor to the lemon herb butter. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs, but use about half the amount.
* **Adjust the Seasoning:** Taste and adjust the seasoning of the cheese filling and lemon herb butter to your liking. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices.
* **Let the Chicken Rest:** Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.
* **Pounding the chicken:** This helps to have even cooking and helps create more surface area for the cheese filling and lemon herb butter to impart its delicious flavors. Try not to make the chicken too thin though or it will tear and become difficult to work with.

## Serving Suggestions

This Garlic Lemon Double Stuffed Chicken is delicious served with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

* **Roasted Vegetables:** Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, or zucchini are all great choices.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** Creamy mashed potatoes or garlic mashed potatoes are a classic pairing.
* **Rice:** White rice, brown rice, or wild rice pilaf.
* **Quinoa:** A healthy and flavorful alternative to rice.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad or a more elaborate salad with grilled vegetables.
* **Pasta:** A light pasta dish with olive oil and herbs.

## Variations

* **Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different types of cheese in the filling, such as mozzarella, provolone, or feta.
* **Different Herbs:** Use different herbs in the lemon herb butter, such as dill, chives, or cilantro.
* **Add Vegetables to the Filling:** Add finely chopped vegetables to the cheese filling, such as spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes.
* **Spicy Chicken:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese filling for a little heat.
* **Breadcrumb Topping:** Sprinkle the chicken with breadcrumbs before baking for a crispy topping. Mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and herbs for extra flavor.
* **Wine Sauce:** Deglaze the baking dish with white wine after baking the chicken and reduce the wine to create a flavorful sauce to drizzle over the chicken.

## Make Ahead Instructions

You can prepare the Garlic Lemon Double Stuffed Chicken ahead of time and bake it later. Here’s how:

1. **Prepare the Chicken:** Prepare the chicken as directed in steps 1-4.
2. **Refrigerate:** Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
3. **Bake:** When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake as directed in step 5. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time if the chicken is cold.

## Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover Garlic Lemon Double Stuffed Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but it may become a little dry.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Per serving, based on 4 servings)

* Calories: 350-400
* Protein: 40-45g
* Fat: 15-20g
* Carbohydrates: 5-10g

*Note: Nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Garlic Lemon Double Stuffed Chicken Recipe Card

**Yields:** 4 servings
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 30 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each)
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
* 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 tablespoon lemon zest
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the chicken breasts by pounding them to an even thickness. Cut two horizontal slits into each chicken breast to create two pockets, being careful not to cut all the way through.
2. Brush chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, ricotta, Parmesan, minced garlic, parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
4. In another bowl, combine softened butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, and chopped herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Stuff each chicken breast pocket with the cheese mixture.
6. Place stuffed chicken breasts in a greased baking dish.
7. Spread the lemon herb butter over the top of each chicken breast.
8. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
9. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your delicious Garlic Lemon Double Stuffed Chicken! This recipe is sure to impress your family and friends with its flavorful and impressive presentation. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations to create your own signature version. Happy cooking!