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Stuffed Chicken Breast

4 chicken breasts stuffed with spinach, garlic, cream cheese, mozzarella & sun-dried tomatoes topped with pesto in a skillet
  • Serves:  4
  • Prep Time:  20 min
  • Cook Time:  30 min

Ingredients

  • 4 large chicken breasts about 2 pounds
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups packed spinach, roughly chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup pesto, store-bought or homemade
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley (optional)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, for serving

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 375° F with a rack in the center position.

  2. Place the chicken on a cutting board. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Using a small knife, carefully cut a 3-inch slit into the side of each chicken breast, wiggling the knife back and forth to create as much of a pocket as possible without cutting all the way through the chicken. Season the chicken inside and out with the salt.

  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a cast iron or oven proof skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is glistening, add the spinach and garlic and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 4 minutes. Transfer the spinach mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the cream cheese, mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and 2 tablespoons of the pesto. Carefully stuff the filling into the pockets of the chicken breasts, dividing evenly.

  4. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown, 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven (or transfer the chicken to a baking dish) and bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.

  5. Divide the chicken among 4 plates, top with remaining pesto and sprinkle with parsley if using.


Note: If you have toothpicks on hand, use them to secure the filling inside the chicken pocket.