Description
A delicious and healthy recipe featuring chicken breasts stuffed with a flavorful mixture of pesto, mozzarella, diced tomatoes, and spinach, baked to perfection and optionally topped with garlic or herb butter for extra richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper
Stuffing
- 1 tablespoon pesto (homemade or store bought)
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, sliced thickly
- ½ cup tomatoes, diced
- ½ cup spinach, chopped
Additional
- 4-5 wooden skewers or toothpicks
- Butter, garlic butter, or herb butter for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken Pocket: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut into each chicken breast from the thicker side toward the thinner side to create a pocket, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- Season Chicken: Rub olive oil, salt, and crushed black pepper evenly over the outside of the chicken breasts.
- Fill Chicken Pockets: Place half a tablespoon of pesto inside each chicken pocket and spread it evenly. Add the thick slices of mozzarella, diced tomatoes, and chopped spinach inside the pockets.
- Secure Pockets: Use wooden skewers or toothpicks to close the chicken pockets securely to prevent filling from leaking out during baking.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish lightly with oil or butter, then place the stuffed chicken breasts inside.
- Bake Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until cooked through and cheese is melted.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven, cover it loosely, and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Optional Topping: Top the chicken breasts with garlic butter or herb butter if desired before serving for added flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the cheesy pesto spinach stuffed chicken breasts hot and enjoy a flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use thick mozzarella slices for better melting and texture inside the pockets.
- Substitute fresh basil pesto with store-bought for convenience or homemade for a fresher taste.
- Add more vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the stuffing for variety.
- Ensure not to cut through the chicken breasts completely to keep the stuffing inside while baking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 368 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1097 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 55 g
- Cholesterol: 167 mg
