Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken
A delightful dish that combines savory chicken with nutritious broccoli and melted cheese, perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for searing
For the Filling
- 1½ cups small-diced broccoli florets, blanched and patted dry
- ¼ cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 1⅓ cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese
- 1½ tablespoons mayonnaise
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut a pocket lengthwise into each chicken breast.
- In a small bowl, mix the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Rub this seasoning inside and outside each chicken breast.
- In another bowl, combine the blanched broccoli, red bell pepper, cheese, mayonnaise, and 1 teaspoon of the seasoning blend to create the filling.
- Stuff each chicken breast with a quarter of the filling and secure the opening with toothpicks.
Cooking
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the stuffed chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Cover the skillet with foil and transfer to the oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Serving
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For the perfect Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken, ensure your broccoli is blanched properly; it should be bright green and tender but still crisp. Optionally experiment with different cheeses like mozzarella or cheddar and consider adding a splash of cream for richness.