Chicken is a staple in our house, but the repetition was starting to get to me. While perusing recipes, I realized that it had been quite some time since I had prepared stuffed chicken breasts. My family and I had a great time when I was inspired to get inventive in the way I prepared chicken.
Some of my favorite accompaniments to this chicken include mushroom risotto, roasted potatoes, roasted asparagus, sautéed green beans, and roasted asparagus. Being so adaptable, it can be served with a wide variety of accompaniments.
You can still get a wonderful meal on the table in no time at all with the help of this quick and simple chicken recipe. You can also use any vegetables and cheeses you have on hand for some added creativity.
In search of a simple yet impressive supper meal to serve your guests? Try some chicken breasts packed with broccoli and cheddar instead. Any night of the week is good for this tasty and cheesy dish.
In this post, we’ll show you how to make chicken breasts stuffed with broccoli and cheddar, and we’ll also address some of the most often asked questions regarding the dish.
Ingredients:
Four skinless, boneless chicken breasts
For 3 cups, use broccoli florets.
One and a half cups of shredded cheddar cheese
Ingredients: 2 ounces of softened cream cheese
Fresh chives or other herbs, chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
Spices such as garlic powder, cumin, and others
Extra virgin olive oil, three to four tablespoons
one-fourth cup of chicken stock
Instructions:
Turn the oven on to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the broccoli and 2 tablespoons of water.
Microwave the broccoli for 2 minutes, covered (a large dish works best for this).
Take the broccoli out of the microwave and put it flat on some paper towels to absorb any remaining moisture.
The broccoli should be chopped into pieces about the size of peas and re-added to the bowl.
Add the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, chives, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper to the broccoli. Mix thoroughly by stirring.
Prepare a cutting board for the chicken breasts, and using a sharp knife, cut a deep pocket lengthwise into each chicken breast.
Fill the pockets in the chicken breasts with the broccoli mixture.
Chicken breasts should be seasoned on both sides with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and any other spices you want.
Olive oil should be heated over medium heat in a large, heavy ovenproof pan, preferably one made of cast iron. Chicken breasts should be added once the oil has reached frying temperature.
The chicken needs to be seared for 3–5 minutes on one side before being flipped and seared for another 2–3 minutes.
Take the pan from the heat, add the chicken broth, and cover it tightly with aluminum foil.
After browning the chicken on the stovetop, it only takes another 10 to 15 minutes in the oven to reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest section of each breast.
Take the chicken breasts out of the oven and let them sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Tips
Pounding the chicken breasts to an equal thickness before stuffing them will help them cook more quickly and evenly.
Broccoli should be precooked before being stuffed into chicken breasts to prevent the chicken from becoming overcooked.
Use toothpicks to keep the chicken breasts tight as they cook to keep the stuffing within.
Before filling and grilling the chicken breasts, season them with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like.
If you’re a cheese lover, you might want to consider topping the chicken breasts with some more cheddar cheese before baking. A tasty crust will form as it melts.
Check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit to guarantee it is cooked through.
Wait a few minutes after taking the chicken out of the oven before slicing it. It will also aid in redistributing the liquids, which will assist the chicken stay moist.
To prepare chicken breasts packed with broccoli and cheddar, what do I need?
Chicken breasts, broccoli, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, olive oil, salt, and pepper are all you need to prepare these delicious filled chicken breasts with broccoli and cheddar.
The question is whether frozen broccoli can be substituted for fresh broccoli.
Answer: Frozen broccoli can be used in place of fresh broccoli. Be sure to thaw and rinse the broccoli before using it in the recipe.
Can I replace the cheddar cheese with something else?
You can substitute another cheese if you like. Cheeses like mozzarella, Gouda, and Swiss are great choices.
The chicken breasts with stuffing: how long in the oven?
The stuffed chicken breasts will need to bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
My question is whether or not I can stuff the chicken breasts in advance and then bake them when I have more time.
You can pack the chicken breasts in advance and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them. If the chicken has been refrigerated, bake it for a shorter amount of time.
How about boneless chicken thighs?
A: If you want, you can substitute boneless chicken thighs for the chicken breasts. To compensate for the additional thickness of chicken thighs in comparison to chicken breasts, cook them for a shorter amount of time.
How can I know whether a chicken is done cooking all the way through?
Checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer is the surest way to ensure that the chicken is cooked through. For chicken to be considered completely cooked, the internal temperature must reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.