Description
A delicious and savory Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast recipe featuring tender chicken breasts stuffed with a flavorful mixture of broccoli, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and garlic, then seared and baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Stuffing
- 1 cup broccoli florets (finely chopped)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken after searing.
- Prepare Chicken Pockets: Using a sharp knife, carefully slice each chicken breast horizontally to create a pocket for the stuffing without cutting all the way through. Season both sides and inside the pockets with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Make Stuffing: In a mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli, shredded cheddar cheese, softened cream cheese, and minced garlic. Mix thoroughly to blend all ingredients evenly.
- Stuff Chicken Breasts: Evenly divide the broccoli and cheese mixture and stuff it into each chicken breast pocket, ensuring a good amount of filling inside.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the stuffed chicken breasts and sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the skillet with seared chicken breasts into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the filling is hot and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes to retain juices before serving.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to ensure the spices stick better.
- Flatten thicker parts of chicken breasts with a meat mallet for even cooking.
- Use room temperature cream cheese to make mixing and stuffing easier and smoother.
- Allow the chicken to rest after baking for juicier meat.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
