Description
Delicious and savory stuffed spinach and feta chicken breasts featuring tender chicken butterflied and filled with a creamy mixture of sautéed spinach, garlic, feta cheese, and herbs, then seared and baked to perfection for a flavorful and elegant main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine, for sealing
Filling
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or dill
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the chicken later.
- Prepare the Chicken: Butterfly each chicken breast by slicing lengthwise without cutting all the way through, then open like a book. Season both sides with salt and black pepper evenly.
- Sauté Spinach and Garlic: Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped spinach, cooking until the spinach wilts, about 2–3 minutes. Allow this mixture to cool slightly.
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, mix the sautéed spinach and garlic with crumbled feta cheese, optional cream cheese for extra creaminess, and dried oregano or dill until well combined.
- Stuff the Chicken: Spoon the prepared filling evenly into each butterflied chicken breast. Fold the chicken breast over to enclose the filling and secure with toothpicks or kitchen twine to keep it intact during cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear each stuffed chicken breast for 2–3 minutes on each side until a golden crust forms.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest briefly after baking to allow juices to redistribute before removing toothpicks or twine and serving.
Notes
- Butterflying the chicken ensures even cooking and allows ample space for the filling.
- Using cream cheese is optional but adds a creamier texture to the filling.
- Make sure to secure the chicken breasts tightly to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
- Searing the chicken before baking helps seal in juices and creates a nice golden crust.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness to avoid over or undercooking.
