Description
Juicy chicken breasts filled with savory Italian Stuffed Breaded Chicken create a delightful culinary experience that elevates home cooking. Crispy golden breadcrumbs and melted cheese inside promise a mouthwatering meal you’ll absolutely adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Proteins and Cheese):
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (or Swiss/Gruyere)
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Spices:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Coating and Cooking Ingredients:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- ½ cup fresh spinach, chopped (or cooked and drained)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for pan-frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken breasts by delicately crafting a hidden pocket along the side, ensuring the cut doesn’t completely separate the meat. Generously massage the exterior with a blend of aromatic seasonings, allowing the flavors to permeate the surface.
- Craft a luxurious filling by gently folding creamy mozzarella, velvety cream cheese, vibrant spinach, aromatic garlic, and a hint of fiery red pepper flakes into a harmonious mixture. Carefully nestle this decadent blend into the chicken’s hidden pocket, using toothpicks to seal the treasure within if necessary.
- Create a three-stage breading station: First, dust the stuffed chicken with a light veil of flour. Next, baptize each piece in beaten eggs, ensuring complete coverage. Finally, roll the chicken in a crisp coating of breadcrumbs enhanced with nutty Parmesan and fragrant Italian seasoning.
- Ignite a heavy skillet with a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Gently lower the breaded chicken, allowing each side to transform into a golden-brown masterpiece with a delicate sear lasting 2-3 minutes. Seamlessly transition the skillet into a preheated oven, roasting until the internal temperature reaches a perfect 165F, ensuring juicy, thoroughly cooked chicken.
- Once removed from the oven, carefully extract any toothpicks. Allow the chicken to rest and settle for a brief moment, letting the juices redistribute. Plate and serve while the crispy exterior remains gloriously crunchy and the interior stays tantalizingly moist.
Notes
- Check chicken thickness carefully when creating the pocket to ensure even cooking and prevent tearing.
- Use room temperature ingredients for the filling to help it blend smoothly and distribute evenly inside the chicken.
- Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to help breading adhere better and create a crispier exterior.
- Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a low-carb, gluten-free version that maintains a crunchy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg