Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 45 mins
Mains
Western
These juicy chicken breasts are stuffed with garlicky mushrooms, spinach leaves and a blanket of oozing melted cheese. Simple to make with just a few ingredients, this is how to transform chicken breast from ho-hum into “ohhh yum!”
After this one, try Sun Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken!
Ingredients
- ▢2 x 220g / 7oz chicken breast , skinless boneless (Note 1)
- ▢3/4 tsp salt
- ▢1/4 tsp pepper
- ▢30g / 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ▢200g / 7 oz mushrooms , sliced 3mm (1/8″) thick (~2 heaped cups)
- ▢2 garlic cloves , finely minced
- ▢1/2 tsp thyme leaves (Note 2)
- ▢2 cups baby spinach (Note 3)
- ▢80 g / 3oz mozzarella , sliced (or other melting cheese)
- ▢1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180°F fan).
- Cut pockets into each chicken breast, being sure not to cut all the way through (see photos in post). Cut on the side with the fold in the meat, to keep the smooth side intact.
- Season the inside and outside of the chicken with half the salt and pepper.
- Mushroom filling: Melt butter in a heavy based oven proof skillet over high heat. Add mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes until they start to turn pretty golden. Then add garlic, thyme, remaining salt and pepper and continue cooking for a further 2 minutes until mushrooms are nice and golden.
- Add spinach: Add baby spinach and stir until wilted – about 30 seconds.
- Stuff mushroom mixture into the pocket of each chicken, then top with cheese.
- Seal with toothpicks as best you can – it doesn’t need to be fully sealed like we do with Chicken Kiev. Just mostly sealed.
- Sear chicken: Give the pan a quick wipe with paper towels. Heat oil over medium high heat. Sear each side of the chicken breast for 1 1/2 minutes until golden.
- Bake 15 minutes: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 65°C/149°F (chicken flesh, not the mushroom filling).
- Rest 5 minutes: Remove from tray onto a plate, loosely cover with foil and rest for 5 minutes. Serve! Pictured in post with easy creamy Baked Lemon Herb Risotto and baby spinach with Balsamic Dressing.
Recipe Notes:
1. Chicken breast is required for this recipe as it’s the right shape to cut pockets and the right size to hold enough filling. Recipe won’t work with thighs or other cuts of chicken.
2. Other herbs – 1/2 tsp dried thyme or other dried herbs of choice. Otherwise, chives, parsley, rosemary (1/2 tsp chopped), oregano or marjoram.
3. Baby spinach – Substitute with chopped / sliced English spinach, silverbeet / Swiss chard, kale or even cabbage.
4. Nutrition per chicken breast.
NUTRITION INFORMATION:
Calories: 575cal (29%)Carbohydrates: 7g (2%)Protein: 60g (120%)Fat: 34g (52%)Saturated Fat: 15g (94%)Trans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 205mg (68%)Sodium: 1409mg (61%)Potassium: 1352mg (39%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 3550IU (71%)Vitamin C: 15mg (18%)Calcium: 258mg (26%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
