Description
This Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast recipe combines tender chicken breasts with a savory filling of chopped broccoli, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese, all seasoned to perfection. The chicken is seared to a golden brown before being baked to juicy, flavorful perfection, making it a satisfying and wholesome main dish perfect for dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground paprika
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
For the Filling:
- 2 cups chopped broccoli florets (smaller pieces)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Season: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small dish, mix together kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Drizzle two tablespoons of olive oil over the chicken breasts and rub the seasoning mixture evenly onto each piece to ensure full flavor.
- Make Filling: In a bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, minced garlic, and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix well until evenly incorporated to create a creamy and flavorful filling.
- Stuff Chicken: Carefully cut a wide pocket into the side of each chicken breast without slicing through completely. Generously stuff each pocket with the broccoli and cheese filling, pressing gently to keep the filling inside.
- Sear and Bake: Heat the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear each stuffed chicken breast on both sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Then transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
Notes
- Use a sharp knife to create the chicken pockets carefully to avoid cutting all the way through.
- Searing the chicken before baking helps lock in the juices and adds a beautiful color and flavor.
- Check chicken doneness using a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (74°C) internally.
- You can substitute cheddar with mozzarella or your favorite melting cheese for variation.
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature to easily mix into the filling.
