Description
Mediterranean Savory Stuffed Chicken with roasted red peppers, spinach, and mozzarella delivers rich flavors from Italian coastal traditions. Cheese melts inside tender chicken breasts, creating a delightful meal perfect for weekend dinner guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large chicken breasts
- 150 g (1 cup) mozzarella cheese, shredded or fresh slices
- 100 g (1 cup) red peppers, roasted and sliced
- 100 g (3 cups) spinach, fresh
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil (divided)
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine
Instructions
- Pocket Creation: Carefully slice chicken breast horizontally, creating a delicate pocket without cutting completely through the meat, establishing a secure stuffing compartment.
- Spinach Preparation: Sauté minced garlic in olive oil, then incorporate spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt and create a vibrant, aromatic base for the filling.
- Stuffing Assembly: Layer roasted red peppers inside the chicken cavity, followed by a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. Seal the opening using toothpicks or kitchen twine to prevent ingredient leakage.
- Seasoning Technique: Massage chicken exterior with olive oil, then coat with a robust blend of Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to develop a golden, flavorful crust.
- Cooking Process: Sear chicken in a hot skillet until golden-brown on both sides, then transfer the skillet to a preheated oven. Roast until chicken reaches the optimal internal temperature, ensuring thorough and even cooking.
- Serving Presentation: Remove toothpicks, let chicken rest briefly to redistribute juices. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil. Serve alongside roasted vegetables, rice, or a crisp salad for a complete, elegant meal.
Notes
- Precise Pocket Creation: Use a sharp knife and steady hand to cut a horizontal pocket in chicken breast without slicing completely through, ensuring even stuffing distribution and preventing ingredient leakage.
- Spinach Wilting Technique: Sauté spinach briefly to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy filling and maintaining a vibrant green color and concentrated flavor profile.
- Prevent Cheese Overflow: Seal stuffed chicken with toothpicks or kitchen twine and avoid overfilling to keep delicious ingredients inside during cooking and maintain structural integrity.
- Temperature Control Matters: Use meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing food safety while preserving juicy, tender meat texture and preventing dryness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg