Description
Cheesy Pesto Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts feature tender chicken breasts filled with a flavorful mixture of pesto, mozzarella, tomatoes, and spinach, baked to perfection. This healthy and low-carb dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a nutritious dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper
Stuffing
- 1 tablespoon pesto (homemade or store bought)
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup tomatoes, diced
- ½ cup spinach, chopped
Topping
- Butter, garlic butter or herb butter for topping (optional)
- 4-5 wooden skewers or toothpicks
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it's ready for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken Pockets: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut into each chicken breast from the thicker side almost to the other end to create a pocket for the stuffing.
- Season Chicken: Rub olive oil, salt, and crushed black pepper evenly over the outside of each chicken breast.
- Stuff Chicken: Place half a tablespoon of pesto inside each chicken pocket and spread it evenly. Then, add thick slices of mozzarella, diced tomatoes, and chopped spinach into the pockets.
- Secure Filling: Use 4-5 wooden skewers or toothpicks to close the chicken pockets securely to prevent the filling from escaping during baking.
- Prepare for Baking: Grease a baking dish lightly and place the stuffed chicken breasts inside.
- Bake: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until cooked through and mozzarella is melted.
- Rest: Remove the chicken from the oven and cover it loosely. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Optional Topping: Top the chicken with garlic butter or herb butter if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh pesto for the best flavor or store-bought pesto for convenience.
- Make sure to secure the chicken pockets well to prevent filling leakage while baking.
- You can substitute mozzarella with another mild melting cheese if preferred.
- Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- This recipe is low in carbs and suitable for a healthy diet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 368 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1097 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 55 g
- Cholesterol: 167 mg
