Oven Roasted Stuffed Chicken Breast: A Delicious and Easy Dinner Recipe

Oven-roasted stuffed chicken breasts are a fantastic way to elevate a simple chicken dinner into something special. They’re incredibly versatile, allowing you to experiment with different fillings and flavors, and they’re surprisingly easy to make. This recipe will guide you through the process, ensuring a moist, flavorful, and impressive dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a weekend gathering.

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Flavorful and Moist:** Stuffing chicken breasts helps to keep them moist during cooking, preventing them from drying out. The filling adds an extra layer of flavor that complements the chicken beautifully.
* **Versatile:** The possibilities for fillings are endless! You can use anything from spinach and cheese to sun-dried tomatoes and pesto.
* **Easy to Make:** Despite looking impressive, stuffed chicken breasts are relatively simple to prepare.
* **Impressive Presentation:** These chicken breasts look beautiful on a plate, making them perfect for company.
* **Healthy and Delicious:** Depending on your filling choices, this can be a relatively healthy and satisfying meal.

## Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make oven-roasted stuffed chicken breasts:

* **Chicken Breasts:** 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each)
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons, divided
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves, minced
* **Spinach:** 5 ounces, fresh or frozen (thawed and squeezed dry)
* **Ricotta Cheese:** 1/2 cup
* **Parmesan Cheese:** 1/4 cup, grated
* **Egg:** 1 large
* **Italian Seasoning:** 1 teaspoon
* **Breadcrumbs:** 1/4 cup (optional, for added texture)
* **Optional Additions to Filling:** Sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, feta cheese, mozzarella cheese, pesto.

## Equipment

* Baking dish (9×13 inch)
* Mixing bowl
* Meat mallet (optional, for even thickness)
* Knife for creating pockets

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create perfectly oven-roasted stuffed chicken breasts:

### 1. Prepare the Chicken Breasts

* **Pound the Chicken (Optional):** 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 ensures even cooking.
* **Create Pockets:** Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a horizontal slit into the side of each chicken breast, creating a pocket. Be careful not to cut all the way through the chicken. You want a deep pocket to hold the filling.
* **Season the Chicken:** Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken breasts and season generously with salt and pepper, both inside and out.

### 2. Prepare the Filling

* **Sauté Garlic and Spinach:** Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. If using frozen spinach, make sure it’s thoroughly thawed and squeezed dry to remove excess moisture. Excess moisture will make the filling soggy.
* **Combine Filling Ingredients:** In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked spinach and garlic mixture, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, and breadcrumbs (if using). Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If you’re using any optional additions like sun-dried tomatoes or artichoke hearts, add them now.

### 3. Stuff the Chicken Breasts

* **Fill the Pockets:** Carefully spoon the spinach and cheese mixture into the pockets of each chicken breast. Don’t overstuff the breasts, as the filling may spill out during cooking. Use your fingers to gently press the filling into the pocket to ensure it’s evenly distributed.
* **Secure the Filling (Optional):** If desired, you can secure the opening of the chicken breasts with toothpicks to prevent the filling from escaping during cooking. Make sure to remove the toothpicks before serving.

### 4. Bake the Chicken Breasts

* **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
* **Arrange Chicken in Baking Dish:** Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the baking dish, making sure they are not touching each other.
* **Bake:** Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate cooking.
* **Rest:** Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the oven and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken breast.

## Tips for Success

* **Don’t Overstuff:** Overstuffing the chicken breasts can cause the filling to spill out and the chicken to cook unevenly.
* **Use a Meat Thermometer:** A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure that the chicken is cooked through. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the filling.
* **Adjust Cooking Time:** Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts and the accuracy of your oven. Always check the internal temperature to ensure the chicken is cooked through.
* **Let it Rest:** Allowing the chicken to rest after cooking is crucial for retaining moisture and preventing it from drying out.
* **Get Creative with Fillings:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fillings! The possibilities are endless. Consider using different cheeses, vegetables, or herbs to create your own unique flavor combinations.
* **Pound for Even Cooking:** Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures that they cook evenly and prevents them from drying out.
* **Prevent Dryness:** Basting the chicken breasts with pan juices or a little extra olive oil during baking can help keep them moist.

## Variations

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Here are a few ideas for variations:

* **Sun-Dried Tomato and Pesto:** Use sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, and mozzarella cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired filling.
* **Mushroom and Gruyere:** Sauté mushrooms with garlic and thyme, then combine with Gruyere cheese for a rich and earthy filling.
* **Broccoli and Cheddar:** Use steamed broccoli florets and cheddar cheese for a kid-friendly filling.
* **Ham and Swiss:** Dice ham and combine with Swiss cheese for a classic combination.
* **Spicy Jalapeño and Cheddar:** Add diced jalapeños and cheddar cheese for a spicy kick.
* **Goat Cheese and Fig:** Combine goat cheese and chopped dried figs for a sweet and savory filling.
* **Artichoke and Feta:** Use artichoke hearts, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired filling.

## Serving Suggestions

Oven-roasted stuffed chicken breasts can be served with a variety of side dishes:

* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted asparagus, broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts are all excellent choices.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic accompaniment to chicken.
* **Rice Pilaf:** A flavorful rice pilaf adds a touch of elegance to the meal.
* **Quinoa:** Quinoa is a healthy and nutritious alternative to rice.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken.
* **Pasta:** Serve alongside a simple pasta dish with olive oil and herbs.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

These chicken breasts can be prepped ahead of time, making them perfect for busy weeknights. You can stuff the chicken breasts up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Be sure to cover them tightly with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. When ready to bake, simply remove them from the refrigerator and follow the baking instructions.

## Storage Instructions

Leftover stuffed chicken breasts can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or in the microwave.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. However, a serving of oven-roasted stuffed chicken breast (one breast) typically contains:

* Calories: 300-400
* Protein: 40-50 grams
* Fat: 15-25 grams
* Carbohydrates: 5-10 grams

## Conclusion

Oven-roasted stuffed chicken breasts are a delicious, versatile, and surprisingly easy dish to make. With endless possibilities for fillings, you can create a customized meal that suits your taste and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight dinner or an impressive dish for a special occasion, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite. So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal!

## Recipe Card

**Oven Roasted Stuffed Chicken Breast**

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

**Ingredients:**

* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-8 ounces each)
* 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 5 ounces fresh spinach, or frozen (thawed and squeezed dry)
* 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
* 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
* 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pound chicken breasts to ½ inch thickness. Cut a pocket into each breast.
3. Drizzle chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
4. Heat remaining olive oil in a skillet. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Cool slightly.
5. In a bowl, combine spinach mixture, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, and breadcrumbs (if using).
6. Stuff the chicken breasts with the spinach mixture.
7. Place chicken in a greased baking dish.
8. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
9. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!