Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach, and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Recipe
This Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach, and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken recipe features juicy chicken breasts filled with a flavorful mix of roasted red peppers, fresh spinach, and melted mozzarella. Pan-seared and baked to perfection with aromatic herbs and a hint of garlic, this dish is a delicious and elegant meal perfect for any occasion.
- Author: lucas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken and Stuffing
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine for securing chicken
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a horizontal pocket into the thickest part of each chicken breast without slicing through completely, creating space for the stuffing.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a small pan over medium heat and add minced garlic, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Spinach: Add chopped spinach to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
- Mix Stuffing: In a medium bowl, combine roasted red peppers, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, spinach mixture, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Stuff Chicken: Fill each chicken breast pocket with the prepared stuffing, pressing gently to keep it inside, and secure openings with toothpicks or kitchen twine.
- Sear Chicken: In the same pan, add a little more olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Sear each stuffed chicken breast for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and chicken is fully cooked.
- Finish and Serve: Optionally, drizzle balsamic vinegar over the stuffed chicken before serving to add a tangy flavor boost.
Notes
- Be careful not to cut through the chicken breasts completely when making the pockets to avoid the stuffing spilling out.
- Searing the chicken before baking helps to lock in juices and adds a nice golden crust.
- Feel free to substitute mozzarella with provolone or fontina for different flavor profiles.
- Balsamic vinegar is optional but adds a lovely tangy sweetness when drizzled over the cooked chicken.
- Use fresh herbs if available for more vibrant flavor instead of dried oregano and basil.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: stuffed chicken breasts, roasted red pepper, spinach, mozzarella, baked chicken, easy dinner recipe, Italian chicken dish