Description
A delicious and healthy recipe featuring chicken breasts stuffed with a savory mix of pesto, mozzarella cheese, spinach, and tomatoes, baked to perfection and optionally topped with garlic or herb butter.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper
Filling
- 1 tablespoon pesto (homemade or store bought)
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, sliced thick
- ½ cup tomatoes, diced
- ½ cup spinach, chopped
Other
- 4-5 wooden skewers or toothpicks
- Butter, garlic butter or herb butter for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F to prepare for baking the chicken breasts.
- Create Chicken Pockets: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut into the thicker side of each chicken breast to form a pocket, stopping just before the other side to keep it intact.
- Season Chicken: Rub olive oil, salt, and crushed black pepper evenly on the outside of the chicken breasts to enhance flavor.
- Add Pesto Filling: Place half a tablespoon of pesto inside each chicken pocket and spread it evenly.
- Add Cheese and Vegetables: Insert thick slices of mozzarella cheese into each pocket, then add diced tomatoes and chopped spinach.
- Secure Chicken: Use wooden skewers or toothpicks to close the pockets securely to prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish lightly to prevent sticking and arrange the stuffed chicken breasts inside.
- Bake: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.
- Rest: Cover the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices and enhance flavor.
- Optional Topping and Serve: Top with butter, garlic butter, or herb butter if desired before serving. Enjoy the flavorful stuffed chicken breasts!
Notes
- This recipe is simple to make and packed with healthy ingredients.
- Use fresh pesto or store-bought depending on convenience.
- Wooden skewers help keep the filling inside during baking, but can be omitted with careful sealing.
- Optional butter topping adds richness but can be skipped for a lighter dish.
- The recipe is low carb and suitable for a low carbohydrate diet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 368 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1097 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 55 g
- Cholesterol: 167 mg
