Description
Comforting broccoli cheddar stuffed chicken brings creamy, cheesy goodness to weeknight dinners. Simple ingredients and quick preparation make this protein-packed meal a delightful choice when you want something special yet approachable.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (large)
- 1 ¼ cups (5 oz/140 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 2 oz (56 g) cream cheese (room temperature)
- ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- garlic powder (to taste)
- cumin (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Broccoli Filling: Microwave broccoli florets until tender, then finely chop and mix with cheddar cheese, cream cheese, chives, salt, and black pepper to create a uniform stuffing.
- Chicken Preparation: Carefully slice a horizontal pocket into each chicken breast, taking care not to cut completely through the meat.
- Stuffing: Fill each chicken breast pocket generously with the broccoli-cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the pocket.
- Seasoning: Coat the exterior of the chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the stuffed chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust develops.
- Roasting: Transfer seared chicken to the prepared baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Resting: Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to enable juice redistribution before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Precision Cutting Technique: Create a clean, shallow horizontal pocket in chicken breasts without piercing through, ensuring filling stays intact during cooking.
- Moisture Retention Strategy: Allow chicken to rest after cooking for 5 minutes, which helps redistribute juices and prevents dryness, resulting in a more tender and flavorful meal.
- Filling Distribution Hack: Finely chop broccoli and mix ingredients thoroughly to guarantee even flavor and texture in every bite of the stuffed chicken.
- Temperature Safety Check: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally, eliminating potential foodborne illness risks and ensuring perfect doneness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking, Sautéing, Stuffed Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg