Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
For the Stuffed Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets, finely chopped
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For Seasoning the Chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with a little olive oil.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
Prepare the chicken breasts: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or the flat side of a heavy pan, pound each breast to an even 1/2 inch thickness. This ensures even cooking and makes them easier to stuff.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Prepare the broccoli: If using fresh broccoli, you can quickly blanch or steam the finely chopped florets for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp, then drain well. This step is optional but helps ensure the broccoli is cooked through. If using frozen, thaw and squeeze out excess water.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Make the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Mix until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Stuff the chicken: Lay each pounded chicken breast flat. Spoon about 1/4 of the broccoli and cheese mixture onto the center of each chicken breast. Carefully roll up each chicken breast, tucking in the sides as you go, to enclose the filling. Secure with toothpicks if necessary.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Season the chicken: In a small bowl, whisk together the 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Brush this mixture evenly over the outside of each stuffed chicken breast.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Bake: Place the seasoned, stuffed chicken breasts seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400
- 8
Rest and serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist. Remove any toothpicks before serving.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
For the Stuffed Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets, finely chopped
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For Seasoning the Chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with a little olive oil.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
Prepare the chicken breasts: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or the flat side of a heavy pan, pound each breast to an even 1/2 inch thickness. This ensures even cooking and makes them easier to stuff.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Prepare the broccoli: If using fresh broccoli, you can quickly blanch or steam the finely chopped florets for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp, then drain well. This step is optional but helps ensure the broccoli is cooked through. If using frozen, thaw and squeeze out excess water.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Make the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Mix until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Stuff the chicken: Lay each pounded chicken breast flat. Spoon about 1/4 of the broccoli and cheese mixture onto the center of each chicken breast. Carefully roll up each chicken breast, tucking in the sides as you go, to enclose the filling. Secure with toothpicks if necessary.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Season the chicken: In a small bowl, whisk together the 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Brush this mixture evenly over the outside of each stuffed chicken breast.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Bake: Place the seasoned, stuffed chicken breasts seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400 - 8
Rest and serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist. Remove any toothpicks before serving.
⏱️ 5 min