Description
A flavorful and healthy Spinach Herb Baked Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy mixture of fresh spinach, feta, cream cheese, Parmesan, and aromatic herbs, seared to perfection and baked for a juicy, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Filling
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare it for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Filling: In a bowl, thoroughly combine chopped spinach, crumbled feta, softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and dried oregano until you have a well-mixed filling.
- Make Chicken Pockets: Using a sharp knife, carefully slice horizontally through the thickest part of each chicken breast to create a pocket, ensuring you don’t cut all the way through.
- Stuff Chicken: Fill each chicken breast pocket evenly with the spinach and cheese mixture. Secure the opening with toothpicks if needed to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the stuffed chicken breasts and sear each side for 2-3 minutes until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute.
Notes
- Use toothpicks carefully and remember to remove them before serving.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through by checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Swapping spinach for kale or swiss chard can add a different flavor twist.
- For a lighter version, reduce the amount of cream cheese or use a low-fat variety.
