Description
Homemade Roasted Red Pepper Spinach and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken with chicken, spinach, and mozzarella. Restaurant-quality dinner at home!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz/170-225g each)
- 2 cups (60g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup (150g) roasted red peppers, drained and chopped (about 2 whole peppers)
- 8 oz (225g) fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (8g) fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking dish or oven-safe skillet.
- Butterfly each chicken breast by placing it flat on a cutting board and, with your hand on top, carefully slice horizontally through the middle, stopping just before cutting all the way through. Open the chicken like a book.
- Season the inside of each chicken breast with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage for consistent flavor.
- In a medium bowl, combine the chopped spinach, roasted red peppers, half of the minced garlic, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Place a quarter of the spinach mixture onto one side of each opened chicken breast, followed by a portion of the mozzarella. Avoid overstuffing to prevent leakage during cooking.
- Fold the empty side of the chicken over the filling, creating a pocket. Secure with toothpicks if necessary to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. This initial searing creates a flavorful crust that seals in moisture.
- Add the remaining garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it as this would create bitterness.
- Carefully place the stuffed chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
- Pour the balsamic vinegar around the chicken (not directly on top to preserve the crust) and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts.
- Remove from the oven and let the Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach, and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in more tender chicken.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving for a pop of color and fresh herbaceous flavor.