Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts – An Easy & Elegant Recipe

Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts is a great recipe to make when you want a delicious and elegant dinner for two. Although this dish looks impressive and difficult to make, it is actually quick and easy to prepare.

With just 5 ingredients this recipe comes together in minutes. Then all you have to do is place the chicken in the oven to bake and within 30 minutes your dinner will be on the table and ready to enjoy.

While the chicken cooks use the time to make your favorite side dish recipes. Whether you want to serve it with a fresh garden salad, roasted vegetables or creamy mashed potatoes, you will love this chicken so much that you will want to make it over and over again!

It is the perfect recipe to make on a busy weeknight. Yet this dish is elegant enough to serve on special occasions or when an unexpected guest comes over.

Chicken Breasts

For this recipe you will need 2 standard size (approximately 6 ounces each) or 2 medium chicken breasts. The size of the chicken breasts that you purchase will determine on how you need to prepare the chicken.

If you have 2 small, thinner breasts you will need to make taco style Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken. Start by pounding out each chicken breast using a flat meat mallet, rolling pin, or the side of your fist to 1/4 inch thickness.

For larger chicken breasts, you will need to cut a pocket in the center of each breast. Do this by placing each chicken breast on a cutting board.

Working one at a time use your non-dominant hand (for me this is my left hand) and press firmly on the top of the meat. Then take a sharp knife and slice through the center of the breast, parallel to the cutting board) to cut a pocket in the center of the chicken breast. Be sure not to cut the meat all the way through to the other side.

Now set the chicken aside and prepare the delicious spinach and feta filling. *If you prefer a different type of filling check out another crowd favorite recipe: Pizza Stuffed Chicken Breasts.

The Spinach and Feta Filling

The filling for the chicken is made by combining 4 simple ingredients. And it all starts with baby spinach leaves.

Start by heating a skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Once the oil is hot add a heaping mound of baby spinach leaves.

Once you add the amount of spinach you will instantly be worried that it will be too much. However, once it wilts, you will have a fraction of the volume that was first put in the skillet.

*If you are using the pocket method, use the exact amount of spinach listed below. However, if you are pounding out thin breasts and making ‘taco style’ stuffed chicken breasts, then you can decrease the amount of spinach by 1/4.

As you cook the spinach add the minced garlic. Then when the leaves are wilted, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the Feta cheese.

The spinach’s mildness provides a neutral backdrop for the stronger flavors of both the feta and garlic. The combination results in a well-balanced filling that pairs perfectly with the chicken breasts.

What To Serve With Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast

Although the stuffed chicken is very filling, you most likely will want to serve a side dish alongside the chicken. Here are some great ideas:

1. Roasted Vegetables:

Roasted vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, or asparagus add a colorful and flavorful touch. The natural sweetness of roasted vegetables can balance the savory notes of the stuffed chicken.

2. Quinoa or Rice:

Serve the stuffed chicken over a bed of fluffy quinoa or rice. This provides a hearty and filling base that can absorb the juices and flavors from the stuffed chicken.

3. Garlic Mashed Potatoes:

Creamy garlic mashed potatoes compliments the richness of the stuffed chicken. The garlic flavor ties in well with the garlic used in the stuffing.

4. Salad:

A refreshing salad with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and carrots topped with a lemony vinaigrette, adds a bright and crisp element to the meal.

5. Sauteed Green Beans:

Simple sautéed green beans with a touch of garlic and lemon provide a fresh and vibrant side dish that compliments the other flavors in this dish.

Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1⁄2 tablespoon instant minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (8 ounce) bag spinach
• 1⁄2 cup feta cheese

The Steps To Making Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast

*Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray a 8 x 8 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Then place 4 toothpicks in water to soak. Set aside.

1. Prepare the Chicken Breasts:

Begin by placing one chicken breast on a cutting board. Then hold the chicken breast flat with one hand and, using a sharp knife, carefully slice horizontally through the center, keeping the knife parallel to the cutting board.

Be cautious to avoid cutting all the way through, creating a pocket in the chicken breast for stuffing. Repeat the process with the second chicken breast.

*Alternative Method: For thinner chicken breasts, place a piece of plastic wrap over top of each breast. Then use a flat meat mallet, rolling pin, or the side of your fist to pound the chicken to 1/4 inch thickness.

2. Season the Chicken:

Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and pepper. The seasoning adds a simple yet essential touch to enhance the overall taste of the chicken. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Filling:

In a pan, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add fresh spinach leaves and cook until wilted.

Remove the pan from heat and then let the spinach cool slightly. Once cooled, mix in crumbled feta cheese, creating a flavorful stuffing for the chicken breasts.

4. Stuff the Chicken Breasts:

Divide the filling and then carefully stuff each butterflied chicken breast with the spinach and feta mixture. Then seal the edges with toothpicks to secure the stuffing inside the chicken.

OPTION – Pan sear the chicken breasts if you are wanting a golden brown exterior.

5. Bake in the Oven:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Transfer the chicken breasts to the baking dish and bake until the chicken is cooked through. The chicken is cooked through once the internal temperature reaches 165°F when checked with an instant read digital thermometer.

6. Rest and Serve:

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, ensuring a moist meat.

Remove the toothpicks before serving.

Pan Searing Cooking Instructions:

Once the chicken breasts have been stuffed and secured, add 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet and place over medium high heat. Cook on one side for 4-5 minutes then flip, cover and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Enjoy! Mary

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