Cheesy Broccoli-Stuffed Chicken Is a Dinner Favorite
Kitchn’s Delicious Links column highlights recipes we’re excited about from the bloggers we love. Follow along every weekday as we post our favorites.
One of the best ways to liven up chicken breasts is by stuffing them with all sorts of delicious things. Stuffed chicken breasts also look special enough for company, but they’re an easy all-in-one meal that’s great for a weeknight dinner or stuffing in a lunch box. Take, for example, these cheesy broccoli-stuffed chicken breasts from Gimme Delicious — delicious, easy, and impressive. Let’s go!
Start by preparing the filling. Chop the broccoli florets into small pieces, because small pieces of broccoli are easier to fit into a chicken breast. Then steam the broccoli in the microwave or on the stove, or blanch the broccoli in boiling water until it turns bright green, then run it under cold water to stop it from cooking.
Mix the broccoli with some chopped bell pepper, garlic, and a mixture of your favorite cheeses. The author suggests a combination of freshly grated Parmesan, some cream cheese for creaminess, and something melty, like a cheddar or mozzarella. Mix the filling well and season it to taste with salt and pepper, then get ready to stuff it inside your chicken.
The key to stuffing chicken breasts is to carefully cut the chicken horizontally to form a “pocket” in the thickest part of the chicken breast. You’ll stuff that with the broccoli and cheese filling, but you don’t want to cut all the way through, so make sure to leave about a half-inch of room at the edge of the chicken. Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Spoon the filling evenly between the chicken pockets, and secure the open edges with toothpicks so the filling doesn’t spill out.
Use a cast iron or oven-safe pan to sauté the stuffed chicken pockets in olive oil until they are golden-brown on the outside, which should take about three minutes per side, then transfer the whole pan to a hot oven and cook them for around 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve them hot, and remember to take the toothpicks out before eating!
Get the recipe: Cheesy Broccoli Stuffed Chicken from Gimme Delicious