– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 cup roasted red peppers, diced
– 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
– 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
– Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Creating Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach, and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken can be straightforward if you follow these simple steps:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Filling: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add Vegetables: Stir in chopped spinach and diced roasted red peppers. Cook until the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Mix in Cheese: Remove from heat and mix in shredded mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
5. Prepare Chicken: While the filling cools, place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap. Gently pound each breast to about ½ inch thickness for even cooking.
6. Stuff the Chicken: Spoon the filling onto one side of each chicken breast. Fold the other side over and secure with toothpicks or kitchen twine.
7. Sear the Chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little olive oil and sear the stuffed chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
8. Bake the Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
9. Rest: Once done, remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps retain moisture.
10. Garnish: Optionally, sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.
These steps will guide you in creating this incredible stuffed chicken effortlessly.