This tasty stuffed chicken is filled with sweet roasted red peppers, fresh spinach, and gooey mozzarella cheese. It’s a colorful dish that looks as good as it tastes!
Making this dish is fun because it’s like giving the chicken a little surprise! I love pairing it with a light salad for a perfect dinner. You’ll feel like a chef in no time!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the base of this dish. If you’re watching your fat intake, you can use chicken thighs instead, as they stay moist even when cooked longer.
Roasted Red Peppers: These add flavor and sweetness. If you don’t have them on hand, you can use fresh red bell peppers—just roast them in the oven until blackened and peel.
Fresh Spinach: Fresh spinach is great for stuffing, but frozen spinach works too! Just make sure to thaw and thoroughly drain it to remove excess moisture.
Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella gives a nice gooey texture. If you want to spice it up, try using pepper jack or provolone cheese for a bit of a kick.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning are classic choices. Feel free to experiment with fresh herbs like basil or thyme if you have them – they’ll brighten up the dish.
Toothpicks or Kitchen Twine: You can skip the toothpicks or twine if you don’t have them, but the filling might escape a bit during cooking. Just be careful while flipping the chicken.
How Do You Secure Stuffed Chicken Without Making a Mess?
When stuffing chicken, it’s important to keep everything inside so you don’t lose that tasty filling. Here’s how to do it right:
- Carefully slice a pocket in the chicken breast without cutting all the way through – leaving at least an inch intact.
- Don’t pack the filling too tightly, as it may burst while cooking.
- Use toothpicks or kitchen twine to secure the opening, making sure to pierce through to hold the filling in. Just remember to remove them before serving!
This method ensures your chicken stays beautifully stuffed and all those flavors meld together perfectly as it cooks.
Delicious Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach, and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Stuffed Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine (for securing)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This tasty stuffed chicken takes about 15 minutes of prep time and around 30 minutes to cook. In total, you’ll spend about 45 minutes preparing this delightful meal. Perfect for a cozy dinner at home!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare the Chicken:
First, you want to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, take each chicken breast and carefully slice a pocket into it. Just be sure not to cut all the way through—this is where we’ll stuff all the yummy filling later!
2. Make the Filling:
In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced roasted red peppers, roughly chopped fresh spinach, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Give it a good mix until everything is well blended. This is the tasty filling for your chicken!
3. Stuff and Secure:
Now, generously stuff each pocket of the chicken breasts with your roasted red pepper and spinach mixture. Once stuffed, use toothpicks or kitchen twine to secure the openings—this will help keep all the delicious filling inside while cooking.
4. Season the Chicken:
Next, it’s time to season the outside of each stuffed chicken breast. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over them and sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and some salt and pepper. This will add great flavors to the dish!
5. Sear the Chicken:
Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. If needed, add a little olive oil to the pan. Carefully place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet and sear them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they’re golden brown. This step is important for adding flavor!
6. Bake to Perfection:
When the chicken is beautifully browned, transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Bake the chicken for about 20-25 minutes, or until it’s cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). You want it juicy and tender!
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Once the chicken is done, take it out of the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. After resting, carefully remove any toothpicks or twine. Slice the chicken, serve it warm, and feel free to garnish with extra herbs if you like. Enjoy your delicious stuffed chicken!
Can I Substitute the Mozzarella Cheese?
Absolutely! If you don’t have mozzarella on hand, you can use provolone, gouda, or even feta cheese for a different flavor twist. Just keep in mind that the texture and melting qualities will vary slightly.
What If I Don’t Have Roasted Red Peppers?
No problem at all! You can easily substitute them with fresh bell peppers, sautéed until soft, or even sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy flavor. Just chop them finely for a similar texture when you mix them with the spinach and cheese.
Can I Prepare This Dish in Advance?
Yes! You can stuff the chicken breasts a day ahead of time. Just cover them tightly and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook. Allow them to sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
How to Store Leftover Stuffed Chicken?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, just pop them in the microwave or warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You can also add a small splash of chicken broth before reheating to keep them moist!
