Spinach Feta Stuffed Chicken (Printable Version)
Chicken breasts stuffed with spinach, feta, garlic, and herbs then baked for a flavorful main dish.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken Preparation
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon paprika
→ Spinach Feta Filling
06 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach, chopped
07 - 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
08 - 1 clove garlic, minced
09 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 - Zest of 1/2 lemon
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chopped spinach and cook 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
03 - Combine cooked spinach, crumbled feta, cream cheese, chopped dill, nutmeg, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly until evenly distributed.
04 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a horizontal pocket into the thickest side of each breast, stopping before cutting through completely.
05 - Divide filling evenly among chicken breasts. Stuff each pocket with spinach mixture. Secure openings with toothpicks to prevent filling from escaping during cooking.
06 - Rub chicken breasts with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season evenly with salt, black pepper, and paprika on all sides.
07 - Arrange stuffed chicken in prepared baking dish. Bake 25-30 minutes until cooked through and juices run clear. Internal temperature should reach 165°F when tested with a meat thermometer.
08 - Remove from oven and carefully remove toothpicks. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The filling stays incredibly moist even after baking, so every bite delivers that perfect contrast between savory interior and seasoned exterior
- It looks fancy enough for dinner guests but comes together in under an hour with ingredients you probably keep on hand
02 -
- Cutting the pocket horizontally rather than slicing the breast in half keeps the filling completely enclosed and prevents it from oozing out during baking
- Letting the cooked spinach cool slightly before mixing with cheese prevents the feta from melting too early and becoming watery
03 -
- Double the filling recipe and keep extra in the refrigerator for a quick omelet or pasta topping the next day
- Use room-temperature chicken when possible, as it cooks more evenly and reduces the risk of the outside drying out before the center reaches temperature