– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 cup fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
– 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
– 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Creating the Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast is straightforward if you follow these steps:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, paprika, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
3. Prepare the Chicken: Take each chicken breast and carefully slice a pocket into the side, ensuring not to cut all the way through.
4. Stuff the Chicken: Fill each pocket of the chicken breasts with the cream cheese mixture, followed by adding some of the asparagus pieces.
5. Secure the Filling: If necessary, use toothpicks to secure the opening of the chicken breasts, preventing the filling from spilling out during cooking.
6. Heat the Skillet: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
7. Sear the Chicken: Season the outside of the stuffed chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place them in the hot skillet, and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
8. Transfer to Oven: Once seared, transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
9. Rest the Chicken: Remove the skillet from the oven, and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
10. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the chicken with fresh parsley before slicing and serving.
By following these simple steps, you’ll create a delicious Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast that will wow your dinner guests!