Description
Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with melted Havarti cheese, fresh spinach, and garlic, baked to perfection for a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 ½ cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup shredded Havarti cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tbsp butter (melted)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
- Toothpicks (to seal the chicken)
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat & Prepare 🔥
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking dish with parchment paper or grease lightly with oil.
2️⃣ Make the Filling 🥬🧀
- In a bowl, mix chopped spinach, shredded Havarti cheese, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard.
- Stir well until combined.
3️⃣ Prepare the Chicken 🍗
- Using a sharp knife, cut a pocket into the thickest part of each chicken breast. Be careful not to slice all the way through.
- Season both the inside and outside of the chicken with salt, black pepper, paprika, and onion powder.
4️⃣ Stuff & Secure 🧵
- Spoon the Havarti-spinach filling into each chicken breast.
- Secure the openings with toothpicks to prevent the filling from oozing out while baking.
5️⃣ Sear for Extra Flavor 🍳 (Optional but recommended)
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sear the stuffed chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
6️⃣ Bake Until Perfect 🔥
- Sprinkle oregano and thyme on top of the chicken.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
7️⃣ Serve & Enjoy! 😍
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh side salad.
Notes
- Want a crispy topping? Add a sprinkle of panko breadcrumbs before baking.
- Love spice? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling.
- No spinach? Substitute with kale or arugula.
- Pairing Idea: Serve with garlic butter rice or lemon asparagus for a restaurant-quality meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 120mg