Description
Succulent spinach ricotta stuffed chicken elevates weeknight dinners with Mediterranean flair. Herbed cheese and tender greens nestle inside juicy chicken breasts, promising a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Filling:
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Coating/Topping:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Carefully butterfly each chicken breast by slicing horizontally, creating a pocket without cutting completely through, ensuring an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- In a mixing bowl, combine chopped spinach, ricotta, grated parmesan, minced garlic, beaten egg, salt, and black pepper, blending until the filling is well-incorporated and smooth.
- Generously stuff each chicken breast pocket with the spinach-ricotta mixture, pressing gently to seal and secure the filling inside.
- Create a coating mixture by combining breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, dried oregano, and garlic powder in a shallow dish.
- Drizzle olive oil over the breadcrumb mixture, stirring to create a slightly moistened, clumpy texture that will adhere better to the chicken.
- Season the exterior of each stuffed chicken breast with salt and pepper, then carefully coat each piece in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure complete coverage.
- Arrange the coated chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece for even heat circulation.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and the filling to set.
Notes
- Check chicken thickness for even stuffing and cooking, ensuring no thin spots that might dry out quickly.
- Gently squeeze excess moisture from spinach to prevent a watery filling that could make the chicken soggy.
- Use fresh ricotta for a creamier, richer texture that enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- Customize breadcrumb coating by adding herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra aromatic depth and personal touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg