Description
This delicious roasted red pepper stuffed chicken transforms ordinary chicken breasts into an extraordinary meal that’s perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. The combination of savory roasted red peppers, nutritious spinach, and melty mozzarella creates a flavor explosion that will impress even the pickiest eaters.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Stuffing:
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers (from a jar), drained and chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- Place each chicken breast on a cutting board and, using a sharp knife, cut a pocket into the side of each breast. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
- In a small bowl, mix together the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Season both the outside and inside of the chicken breasts with this spice mixture.
- Make the Filling
- In a medium bowl, combine the chopped spinach, roasted red peppers, mozzarella cheese, minced garlic, basil, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Stuff and Secure the Chicken
- Carefully stuff each chicken breast with an equal amount of the filling mixture.
- If needed, secure the openings with toothpicks to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
- Cook the Stuffed Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the hot skillet, presentation side down.
- Sear for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip the chicken breasts over and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Remove any toothpicks if used.
- Slice the stuffed chicken diagonally to showcase the colorful filling, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Uniform thickness: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cutting the pocket for better cooking results.
- Don’t overstuff: While it’s tempting to pack in as much filling as possible, overstuffing can make the chicken difficult to seal.
- Rest before slicing: The 5-minute rest period is crucial for juicy chicken!
- Make ahead: You can prepare the stuffed chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
- Storage: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 580
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 110
Keywords: roasted red pepper stuffed chicken, stuffed chicken breast, chicken dinner, low carb chicken recipe, easy chicken recipe, mediterranean chicken, mozzarella stuffed chicken