Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast (Printable Version)
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with broccoli, cheddar and cream cheese, baked for a low-carb, gluten-free main.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Filling
07 - 1 cup broccoli florets, finely chopped
08 - 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
10 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 garlic clove, minced
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or apply a light coating of oil.
02 - Combine garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl and set aside.
03 - Pat the chicken breasts dry. Using a sharp knife, carefully create a pocket in each breast without slicing through to the other side.
04 - Rub olive oil over each chicken breast and coat both inside and out with the prepared seasoning mix.
05 - In a separate bowl, combine chopped broccoli, shredded cheddar cheese, softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Mix until evenly incorporated.
06 - Gently spoon the broccoli-cheese filling into each chicken pocket, securing with toothpicks as needed to hold the filling in place.
07 - Place stuffed chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the filling is bubbling.
08 - Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after baking, then carefully remove toothpicks before serving.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The melty cheese and barely crisp broccoli hidden inside make every bite feel like a little celebration nobody expects.
- It’s quick to prepare but always manages to impress (even when you're just aiming for an easy weeknight dinner).
02 -
- If you overstuff or slice too deeply, the filling escapes during roasting and you lose those cheesy pockets (learned the hard way).
- Bringing cream cheese to room temperature makes mixing frustration-free and helps meld the flavors better.
03 -
- Tuck the filling deep into the pockets to avoid runaway cheese.
- A light sprinkle of paprika on top before baking makes for a beautifully bronzed finish.