Description
Mediterranean-inspired Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach, and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken delivers a symphony of flavors that dance across palates. Succulent chicken breasts become irresistible vessels for creamy cheese, earthy spinach, and sweet roasted peppers, promising a delightful meal you won’t soon forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Seasonings and Spices:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine
Instructions
- Transform the chicken breasts into a culinary canvas by crafting a delicate pocket along the thickest side, maintaining structural integrity. Lavishly coat both interior and exterior with a vibrant medley of salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning, ensuring deep flavor penetration.
- Craft a harmonious filling by blending roasted red peppers, vibrant spinach, aromatic garlic, and melty mozzarella cheese. Gently fold ingredients together, creating a cohesive and colorful mixture that promises rich, layered flavors.
- Meticulously nestle the prepared filling into each chicken breast’s pocket, pressing gently to maximize volume without compromising the meat’s structure. Secure the openings using toothpicks or kitchen twine, preventing any precious filling from escaping during cooking.
- Ignite a large oven-safe skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Gracefully introduce the stuffed chicken breasts, searing each side for 2-3 minutes until a gorgeous golden-brown crust develops, locking in moisture and introducing caramelized notes.
- Transition the skillet directly into the preheated oven, allowing the chicken to roast for 18-20 minutes. Verify doneness by confirming the internal temperature reaches 165°F. After removing from the oven, grant the chicken a brief 5-minute resting period to redistribute juices before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Prevent overstuffing by leaving a small margin around the edges of the chicken pocket to ensure clean sealing and even cooking.
- Choose freshly roasted red peppers or high-quality jarred peppers for maximum flavor complexity and vibrant color in the filling.
- Squeeze excess moisture from spinach to maintain the filling’s texture and prevent soggy chicken during baking.
- Consider using low-moisture mozzarella to reduce potential liquid release and keep the stuffing compact and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 120mg