Delicious Spinach Stuffed Chicken: A Homestyle Dinner (Print Version)

Delicious Spinach Stuffed Chicken Recipe brings creamy, savory flavors to your table. Learn my easy, comforting method for a weeknight meal everyone will love.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: High-protein

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 5 oz fresh spinach
03 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Flavor Boosters

04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1/4 cup finely diced onion
07 - 1/4 cup chicken broth

→ Seasonings

08 - 2 tbsp olive oil
09 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

→ Finishing Touches

12 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, grab those chicken breasts. You're going to want to butterfly them, which sounds fancy but just means slicing them almost all the way through horizontally, then opening them up like a book. If they're thick, you might even need to gently pound them a bit with a meat mallet or a heavy pan to get an even thickness, maybe about 1/2 inch. This helps them cook evenly, and honestly, I've skipped this step before and ended up with some parts dry and other parts undercooked. Not ideal, trust me!
02 - Now for the good stuff! In a medium bowl, combine your softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, finely diced onion, a good pinch of salt, pepper, and that lovely smoked paprika. Mix it all up until it’s super creamy and well combined. This is where I sometimes get a little messy, a glob of cream cheese always seems to find its way onto my nose, haha. Give it a taste here—does it need more salt? More garlic? This is your Delicious Spinach Stuffed Chicken.
03 - Heat a tiny bit of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in your fresh spinach and cook it down until it’s wilted. This happens surprisingly fast! Once it's wilted, squeeze out as much excess liquid as you possibly can. I usually put it in a fine-mesh sieve and press it with the back of a spoon, or even just squeeze it in my hands once it's cool enough. Watery spinach makes for a runny filling, and nobody wants that in their Delicious Spinach Stuffed Chicken.
04 - Gently fold the squeezed, wilted spinach into your cream cheese mixture. Now, lay out your butterflied chicken breasts. Spoon a generous amount of the spinach-cheese filling onto one half of each breast, leaving a small border around the edges. Carefully fold the other half of the chicken over the filling, sealing it as best you can. You can use toothpicks to secure the edges if you're worried about the filling escaping. I've had a few explode on me in the oven, it happens!
05 - Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in an oven-safe skillet (cast iron is my favorite for this!) over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place your stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet. Sear for about 3-4 minutes per side, until they’re beautifully golden brown. This step is crucial for developing flavor and getting that lovely crust. Don't crowd the pan, or you won't get a good sear; cook in batches if you need to.
06 - Pour about 1/4 cup of chicken broth into the skillet around the chicken. Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). The filling will be bubbly and the chicken cooked through. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing; this helps keep the juices in. Garnish with fresh parsley, and there you have it, your very own Delicious Spinach Stuffed Chicken masterpiece!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overstuff the chicken; I've learned the hard way that less is sometimes more to keep everything contained.
02 - Always pat your chicken dry before searing; it makes all the difference for a golden crust.
03 - Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after baking; it keeps the meat juicy and tender, trust me on this!
04 - For an extra pop of flavor, a squeeze of lemon juice over the finished chicken is delightful.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Cutting board
02 - sharp knife
03 - mixing bowl
04 - skillet (oven-safe preferred)
05 - meat mallet (optional)
06 - toothpicks (optional)
07 - fine-mesh sieve (optional)
08 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 8g
Protein: 40g

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