Description
Cheesy Caprese-Stuffed Chicken is a delightful and easy-to-make dinner that features juicy chicken breasts filled with a flavorful mixture of fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese, seasoned with Italian herbs for a vibrant and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (Chicken thighs can add deeper flavor)
Filling
- 2 cups Baby Spinach (Kale or Swiss chard are substitutes)
- 1 cup Drained Oil-Packed Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Fresh tomatoes can be used for a lighter version)
- 1 cup Fresh Mozzarella (Swap with provolone for more kick)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (Consider fresh herbs like basil or oregano)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (Season to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper (Season to taste)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking dish for the stuffed chicken.
- Create Chicken Pockets: Carefully slice a pocket into each chicken breast, making sure not to cut all the way through so the filling stays inside during cooking.
- Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach, drained sun-dried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well until evenly combined and vibrant in color.
- Stuff Chicken: Generously fill each chicken breast pocket with the prepared spinach, tomato, and cheese mixture. If needed, secure the openings with toothpicks to prevent filling from spilling out.
- Bake: Place the stuffed chicken breasts in the baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes to retain juices. Remove toothpicks if used, slice, and serve warm with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- Kale or Swiss chard can be substituted for baby spinach if preferred.
- Fresh tomatoes may replace sun-dried tomatoes for a lighter option.
- Provolone cheese offers a sharper taste if you want more kick than mozzarella.
- Use fresh basil or oregano in place of Italian seasoning for a more herbaceous flavor.
- Season the filling or chicken to taste with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
