Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast
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Crafted in just a half-hour, our delicious broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken breasts offer a delightfully simple dinner idea. The dish features succulent chicken breasts generously filled with a blend of steamed broccoli, creamy mozzarella cheese, and velvety cream cheese. The result is a culinary creation that holds a special place in the hearts of children, making it a favored choice among the younger audience.
With the perfect balance of flavors and textures, these stuffed chicken breasts effortlessly captivate taste buds, proving that gourmet-style meals can be both accessible and appealing. Elevate your dining experience with this easy-to-make yet incredibly delicious dish that caters to the preferences of both young and mature palates.
For more chicken breast recipes, try our Low Carb Chicken Breast Recipe or One Pan Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi. All are easy to create and packed with flavor!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets, steamed
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1.5 pounds chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 fresh lemon optional
How To Make
Start by adding the steamed broccoli, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and garlic powder to a large mixing bowl. Blend well using a fork to easily mix the cream cheese with the other ingredients.
Stuff the chicken breasts
Once you learn how to stuff chicken breasts, you can easily use the method for this recipe or to stuff chicken with any ingredient combination. Stuffed Chicken Parmesan and Fajita Stuffed Chicken Breasts are two other tasty stuffed chicken recipes.
Place the chicken breasts onto a cutting board. Then, cut a pocket into the chicken by slicing lengthwise, but not all the way through.
PRO TIP: If the chicken breasts are thick, first cut them in half, lengthwise then cut the pocket to speed up the cooking time.
Using a spoon, divide the broccoli mixture equally and stuff into the pockets.
Cook the chicken
Next, warm a skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and let it get hot.
Add the stuffed chicken breasts then season with salt and pepper. Let the chicken cook for 5-6 minutes. Flip then cook an additional 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Serve immediately.
PRO TIP: Squeeze a drizzle of fresh lemon juice onto chicken right before serving for a flavor boost.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Prep Wisely: Ensure all ingredients are prepped and ready before starting. This includes having the broccoli steamed, cream cheese softened, and mozzarella shredded.
Thorough Mixing: Achieve a uniform stuffing consistency by blending the steamed broccoli, room temperature cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and garlic powder well. A fork works excellently for this task.
Chicken Pocket Technique: When cutting a pocket into the chicken breasts, take care not to slice all the way through. If the breasts are thick, halve them lengthwise for easier stuffing.
Even Stuffing Distribution: Use a spoon to divide the broccoli mixture evenly among the chicken pockets, ensuring a consistent and flavorful filling.
Proper Cooking Temperature: Cook the stuffed chicken in a preheated skillet over medium heat. Allow the olive oil to get hot before adding the chicken. Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
Citrus Zest: Elevate the dish with a drizzle of fresh lemon juice before serving. The citrusy touch adds a refreshing element to the savory flavors.
Serve Promptly: For optimal taste and texture, serve the stuffed chicken immediately after cooking. This ensures the dish is enjoyed at its best.
Frequently Asked Questions
The broccoli can easily be swapped with any other ingredient if desired – from cooked spinach to bell peppers, mushrooms to asparagus.
Fresh or frozen broccoli can be used. Either way, steam the broccoli then squeeze any excess water before mixing with the other ingredients.
This dish can be prepped up to a day ahead, stored covered in the fridge then cooked the next evening before serving for dinner.
Substitute the cream cheese with Boursin cheese.
More Chicken Recipes
Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets steamed
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 fresh lemon juice optional
Instructions
- Mix the stuffing ingredients. To the mixing bowl, add the steamed broccoli, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and garlic powder. Blend well using the fork to mix in the cream cheese.
- Stuff the chicken breasts. Place chicken breasts onto a cutting board. If the chicken breasts are thick, first cut them in half, lengthwise. Then cut a pocket into the chicken by slicing lengthwise, but not all the way through. Using a spoon, divide the broccoli mixture equally and stuff into the pockets.
- Cook the chicken. Warm the skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and let it get hot. Add the stuffed chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper, then let cook for 5-6 minutes. Flip then cook an additional 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Squeeze a drizzle of fresh lemon juice onto the chicken if desired. Serve right away.
Notes
Substitutions
- Boursin cheese for the cream cheese
- cooked spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms or asparagus for broccoli
