Description
A delicious and wholesome Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast recipe featuring tender chicken breasts filled with a creamy mixture of broccoli, cheddar, and cream cheese, seared to golden perfection and baked for a satisfying meal.
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 oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small dish, combine kosher salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground paprika. Drizzle chicken breasts with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and rub thoroughly with the seasoning mixture to ensure even flavor.
- Make Filling: In a bowl, mix chopped broccoli florets, shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese at room temperature, minced garlic, and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir until well combined and creamy.
- Stuff Chicken: Using a sharp knife, cut a wide pocket horizontally into each chicken breast, taking care not to slice all the way through. Spoon the broccoli and cheese filling evenly into each pocket, pressing gently to hold the filling inside.
- Sear Chicken: Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side until the outside is golden brown, locking in the juices and flavor.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet with seared chicken directly into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are of similar thickness for even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness and avoid overcooking.
- Feel free to substitute cheddar with mozzarella or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Broccoli florets should be chopped small to fit nicely inside the chicken pockets.
