Roasted Red Pepper Spinach Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Roasted Red Pepper Spinach Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion. Tender chicken breasts are filled with savory roasted peppers, fresh spinach, and creamy mozzarella, then roasted to juicy perfection.

A close-up of two thick chicken breasts stacked on a white plate, coated with a dark golden, pepper-speckled crust with visible mustard seeds. The middle layer shows melted white cheese mixed with cooked spinach and pieces of red bell pepper, oozing slightly out of the chicken. Fresh green herbs are sprinkled on top and around, adding color. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and some buttery sauce pools around the base of the chicken. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 medium chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 cup jarred roasted red peppers, sliced into strips
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Pat the chicken breasts dry and carefully cut a deep horizontal pocket into each breast, being careful not to slice all the way through.
  2. Step 2: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge each breast in the flour, shaking off any excess.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the roasted red peppers and spinach until the spinach is wilted. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  5. Step 5: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stuff each chicken breast pocket with one slice of mozzarella cheese and a scoop of the pepper-spinach mixture. Secure the openings with toothpicks to hold the filling inside.
  6. Step 6: Return the stuffed chicken breasts to the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
  7. Step 7: Remove the toothpicks and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes to the spinach mixture before stuffing the chicken.
  • Substitute fresh basil leaves for the spinach to give a different aroma and taste.
  • If you don’t have jarred roasted red peppers, you can roast your own by charring fresh red peppers under a broiler.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked chicken without overcooking.

Storage

Store any leftover stuffed chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in the oven at 300°F until heated through to keep the chicken moist and the cheese melted.

How to Serve

Two thick chicken breasts are stacked on a white plate. Each chicken piece has a golden-brown, crisp seasoning layer with visible coarse spices and small green herb bits. Between the two layers of chicken, there is a creamy, melted white cheese layer mixed with cooked dark green spinach and small pieces of red bell pepper. Around the base of the chicken, a light yellow oily sauce pools, dotted with herbs. Fresh parsley leaves are scattered on the top and around the plate. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, you can stuff the chicken breasts and keep them refrigerated for a few hours before cooking. Just cover and bake as directed when ready.

What can I serve with this stuffed chicken?

This dish pairs well with a simple side salad, roasted vegetables, or creamy mashed potatoes for a balanced meal.

Print
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Roasted Red Pepper Spinach Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Recipe


  • Author: Charlotte
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Roasted Red Pepper Spinach Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken recipe offers a delicious and elegant way to prepare chicken breasts, filled with a flavorful mixture of roasted red peppers, fresh spinach, garlic, and melted mozzarella cheese. The chicken is first seared for a golden crust and then baked to tender perfection, making it a perfect main dish for dinner that’s both satisfying and packed with vibrant flavors.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 4 medium chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Stuffing

  • 1/2 cup jarred roasted red peppers, sliced into strips
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Prep Chicken: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Carefully cut a deep horizontal pocket into each breast without slicing all the way through to create space for the stuffing.
  2. Season and Dredge: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge each piece in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a thin coating.
  3. Sear Chicken: In an oven-safe skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the butter over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate.
  4. Sauté Vegetables: Using the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the sliced roasted red peppers and fresh spinach until the spinach is wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to enhance the flavors.
  5. Stuff Chicken: Remove the skillet from heat. Carefully stuff each chicken breast pocket with one slice of fresh mozzarella cheese and a generous scoop of the roasted red pepper and spinach mixture. Secure each chicken breast with toothpicks to keep the filling inside.
  6. Bake: Return the stuffed chicken breasts to the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven. Carefully take out the toothpicks from the chicken breasts. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to retain juices before serving hot.

Notes

  • Ensure the chicken pockets are deep enough to hold the filling but avoid cutting all the way through.
  • Use an oven-safe skillet like cast iron to simplify searing and baking in one dish.
  • To check doneness, use a meat thermometer to reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
  • For easier handling, you can secure the chicken with cooking twine instead of toothpicks if preferred.
  • Leftover chicken can be refrigerated and gently reheated without drying out by adding a splash of broth or water.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: stuffed chicken, roasted red pepper, spinach, mozzarella, baked chicken breast, easy dinner recipe, skillet chicken

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