Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipe
Delicious and creamy spinach stuffed chicken breasts baked to perfection with a flavorful blend of cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic, and spices. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a healthy and satisfying dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Stuffing
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 ½ cups chopped fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken breasts.
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and drizzle them with olive or avocado oil to help the seasoning adhere and keep the meat moist during cooking.
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, combine paprika, ½ teaspoon of salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts to add flavor.
- Create chicken pockets: Use a sharp knife to cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast carefully, making space for the stuffing. Set the chicken aside once done.
- Make the spinach stuffing: In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, mayonnaise, chopped fresh spinach, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Stuff the chicken breasts: Spoon the prepared spinach mixture evenly into the pockets of each chicken breast, ensuring they are well filled.
- Bake the chicken: Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Notes
- You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach; just be sure to thaw and squeeze out excess water before mixing.
- To ensure even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cutting the pockets.
- Feel free to add shredded mozzarella or other cheeses to the stuffing mixture for extra creaminess.
- For a lower-fat option, use light cream cheese and mayonnaise.
- Check chicken internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee it is fully cooked.
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