Name: Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 52 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 medium chicken breasts; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 3 tablespoons low sodium chicken broth; 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley; 1/2 teaspoon dried chives; 1/4 teaspoon dried dill; 1 cup small chopped broccoli florets; 1 heaping packed cup (4 oz.) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 5 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature; 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced; 1/4 cup cooked, chopped bacon

There’s something incredibly comforting about a dish that combines creamy cheese, tender chicken, and fresh veggies all in one bite. This Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe is exactly that—a cozy, flavorful dinner that makes your kitchen smell amazing and your family ask for seconds. Let me show you how to master it with ease!

The image shows four large pieces of browned chicken on top, stuffed with a colorful filling of finely chopped vegetables and herbs that are green and red, all sitting in a creamy light orange sauce with some herb bits visible. The chicken pieces have a crispy texture with some charred spots and are garnished with small green herb leaves. The dish is served in a black cast iron pan with a gold-colored spoon resting inside, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t stop making this Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe because it delivers on flavor and texture every single time. It’s like having a little cheesy, veggie-filled surprise tucked inside juicy chicken, plus it’s surprisingly simple to pull off.

Perfectly Moist Chicken: The stuffing keeps the chicken breast juicy and tender, never dry.
Flavor-Packed Filling: Broccoli, sharp cheddar, and a touch of bacon give a rich, balanced taste.
Easy Weeknight-Friendly: Despite looking gourmet, it comes together with accessible ingredients and straightforward steps.
Customizable: You can swap veggies or cheese without losing any of the deliciousness.

The image shows four thick, brown, cooked chicken pieces in a black cast iron pan, each stuffed with a mix of finely chopped green, red, and white vegetables or herbs, which add color and texture to the dish. The chicken is covered in a light brown sauce that pools at the bottom of the pan and has some fresh, small green herb garnishes sprinkled on top. One chicken piece is being lifted with a large silver spoon, exposing the colorful filling inside. The surface beneath the pan has a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe plays a role in creating that comforting flavor you’ve come to expect. The balance of creamy, sharp, fresh, and savory is what makes this meal shine. When shopping, I recommend fresh broccoli and real sharp cheddar for the best flavor contrast.

Flat lay of four medium raw chicken breasts with smooth pale pink skin, a heap of small chopped bright green broccoli florets in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with creamy soft cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese piled loosely with vivid orange color on a white plate, a small white bowl containing finely diced vibrant red bell pepper, a small white bowl holding cooked chopped bacon pieces with crispy edges, a small white bowl with golden olive oil, another small white bowl with light brown low sodium chicken broth, whole uncracked brown eggs arranged neatly, and tiny piles of mixed dried green parsley, chives, and dill herbs on a white dish, all ingredients arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Choose plump, medium-sized breasts so you can easily create a pocket for stuffing without cutting through.
Olive oil: Helps get the perfect sear on the chicken and enhances flavor.
Low sodium chicken broth: Adds moisture during baking and forms a light pan sauce.
Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper: These spices create a savory, ranch-inspired rub that brings everything together.
Broccoli florets: Steamed just right to keep their crunch and vibrant color—the perfect veggie filler.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded on medium holes for melty, gooey texture inside.
Cream cheese: Softened for blending, adds creaminess that binds the filling.
Red bell pepper: Finely diced for sweetness and color contrast.
Bacon: Cooked and chopped for smoky, salty bites that elevate the filling.
Dried parsley, chives, and dill: These herbs offer subtle fresh notes, rounding out the cheesy filling.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this recipe to suit whatever I have on hand or craving at the moment. You should feel free to switch up the veggies, cheese, or add some heat if you like a bit of spice.

Variation: One time I tried swapping the broccoli for steamed spinach, which was delicious and gave it a darker, earthier flavor—definitely worth trying if you want a twist.
Dairy-Free Option: Use a plant-based cream cheese and vegan cheddar to make this recipe friendly for dairy-free diets. Just remember the texture might be slightly different.
Spicy Kick: Add some crushed red pepper flakes into the filling or sprinkle on top before baking if you like a little heat.
Make It Super Quick: If you're short on time, use pre-cooked bacon and frozen chopped broccoli that's already steamed.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

Step 1: Steam the Broccoli Just Right

I start by adding small broccoli florets with a splash of water into a microwave-safe bowl, covering it with a damp paper towel, and microwaving for 2 minutes. This keeps the broccoli vibrant and crisp-tender, perfect for stuffing. Drain carefully so no extra water makes the filling soggy.

Step 2: Whisk Spices and Prepare Filling

While the broccoli is steaming, I mix the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, parsley, chives, and dill in a small bowl. I set a teaspoon of this spice rub aside to season the chicken later. Then, I soften the cream cheese, shred the sharp cheddar, finely dice the red bell pepper, and cook and chop bacon. All these go into a bowl, where I combine them thoroughly before folding in the drained broccoli.

Step 3: Tenderize and Create Pockets in Chicken

Place each chicken breast between plastic wrap and give it a few gentle pounds with a meat mallet or the side of a can to even out its thickness and tenderize. This helps avoid overcooking. Then, carefully slice along the thick end to form a pocket without cutting all the way through—this is where your delicious filling goes.

Step 4: Stuff and Season the Chicken Breasts

I stuff each pocket with the creamy broccoli and cheddar filling, using my hand to gently squeeze it inside. If it feels like the filling might escape, toothpicks work great to keep everything snug. Then, I pat the reserved spice rub all over the chicken to guarantee a tasty crust after searing.

Step 5: Sear and Finish in the Oven

Heating a cast iron skillet until it’s good and hot before adding olive oil is key to a golden sear. I cook the chicken breasts in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side to get that lovely color, then place all back in the pan. Adding chicken broth before covering and transferring to the oven helps keep the chicken moist and creates a simple pan sauce. Bake at 375°F for 12-17 minutes, until the internal temperature hits 160°F. Let it rest—it’ll keep cooking gently and reach the perfect 165°F.

Top Tip

Through lots of trial and error, I realized that patience and technique are essential for nailing this Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe. Here are my favorite tips to help you avoid common pitfalls and get that perfect juicy, flavorful chicken every time.

Proper Pocket Cutting: Take your time slicing pockets; the deeper you go without cutting through, the easier stuffing becomes and the better the final shape.
Don’t Skip Tenderizing: Pounding the chicken evens thickness, making the cooking uniform and preventing dry edges.
Use an Instant-Read Thermometer: It saves you guesswork and keeps the chicken from becoming overdone while ensuring food safety.
Rest the Chicken: Letting it sit for 5 minutes after baking lets juices redistribute and temperatures rise to the perfect level.

How to Serve Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

cheesy stuffed chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or chives over the top right before serving to add a hint of brightness and color. Sometimes a little extra shredded cheddar on top, melted under the broiler for a minute or two, really amps up the cheese factor.

Side Dishes

Mashed potatoes are my go-to side because their creaminess complements the flavors perfectly. Roasted garlic green beans or a simple garden salad also work well if you want something lighter, or some buttered pasta noodles for a comforting carb fix.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings or a special dinner, I slice the stuffed chicken into medallions and fan them out on the plate. Drizzling the pan sauce over the top and adding a few roasted cherry tomatoes around makes for a colorful, restaurant-style presentation that always impresses.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I tightly wrap leftover chicken breasts in foil or store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. They hold up well with the filling intact and flavor preserved, making for excellent next-day meals.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully—just wrap each stuffed breast individually in plastic wrap and foil, then place them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain texture and flavor.

Reheating

The best way to reheat is gently in the oven at 325°F, covered loosely with foil, for about 15-20 minutes so it warms through without drying out. Alternatively, use a microwave with short bursts and let it rest a minute between bursts to keep it juicy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen broccoli for the filling?

Absolutely! Use chopped frozen broccoli that’s been thawed and well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the filling. Steaming fresh broccoli does enhance texture, but frozen works in a pinch.

How do I prevent the filling from leaking out while cooking?

Make sure to create a deep pocket in the chicken without cutting through, and pack the filling tightly inside. Using toothpicks to secure the edges helps keep the filling from escaping during cooking.

Can this recipe be made dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute the cream cheese and cheddar with dairy-free alternatives available at many grocery stores. Keep in mind the texture might differ slightly but it’s still delicious.

What’s the best way to tell when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken (not the filling). Cook until it reaches 160°F, then let it rest for 5 minutes to reach 165°F for safe and juicy results.

Final Thoughts

This Broccoli and Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe has genuinely become a family favorite at our house. It’s simple enough to make any night of the week but special enough to feel like a celebration. I’m excited for you to try it—with these tips, you’re all set for juicy, flavorful chicken stuffed to perfection!