Tangy Cream Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipe

Tender chicken breasts hiding a luscious cream cheese and spinach filling promise a dinner that’ll make you swoon.

Delicate herbs and smooth cheese create a magical combination inside juicy meat.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become extraordinary with this simple yet impressive dish.

Mediterranean-inspired flavors dance across your plate, tempting every taste bud.

Each bite delivers a creamy, savory surprise that feels luxurious yet approachable.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore how quickly this meal comes together.

Rich and comforting, these stuffed chicken breasts will become your new favorite go-to recipe.

Grab a fork and get ready to experience pure culinary bliss.

Why Cream Cheese And Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts Work

• Boost Nutrition: Packed with protein from chicken and loaded with spinach, this dish delivers a powerful nutritional punch that supports muscle health and provides essential vitamins.
• Customize with Ease: Simple to modify by swapping cheeses or adding different herbs, making it perfect for adventurous home cooks who love personalizing their meals.
• Quick Midweek Dinner Solution: Transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality meal without complex techniques, guaranteeing a delicious dinner that looks impressive but requires minimal culinary skills.
• Family-Friendly Crowd Pleaser: Combines kid-friendly flavors like cheese with nutritious spinach, ensuring everyone at the table enjoys a balanced and tasty meal that satisfies different taste preferences.

What’s Needed For Cream Cheese And Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that serves as the primary base for this delicious stuffed recipe.

• Spinach: Fresh green vegetable that adds nutrition and earthy flavor to the chicken stuffing.
• Cream Cheese: Soft and creamy cheese that provides a rich and smooth texture to the filling.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Mild and stretchy cheese that melts beautifully and enhances the overall cheesy experience.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Red Pepper Flakes: Spice blend that adds depth, warmth, and subtle heat to the chicken's flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.

• Olive Oil: Healthy cooking oil used to brown the chicken and create a golden exterior.
• Toothpicks: Small kitchen tool used to secure the stuffed chicken breasts during cooking.

How To Make Cream Cheese And Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Step 1: Ready the Oven

Warm up your oven to a toasty 375°F, getting it perfectly prepared for our flavor-packed chicken adventure.

Step 2: Butterfly and Season Chicken

Carefully slice chicken breasts open like a book, creating a pocket for our scrumptious filling.

Sprinkle both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.

Step 3: Create Creamy Spinach Filling

• Fresh spinach leaves
• Smooth cream cheese
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Zesty red pepper flakes

Blend everything until well incorporated and looking irresistibly delicious.

Step 4: Stuff and Secure Chicken

Carefully distribute the spinach-cheese mixture into each chicken breast’s butterfly pocket. Gently fold the top half over the filling and secure with toothpicks to keep all those amazing flavors locked inside.

Step 5: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken breasts in the pan and cook until a beautiful golden-brown color develops on both sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.

Step 6: Finish Cooking in Oven

Transfer the entire skillet directly into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, ensuring the chicken is completely cooked through and reaches a safe internal temperature.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven. This helps redistribute the juices, making each bite incredibly tender and flavorful.

Helpful Tips For Cream Cheese And Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

• Pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to ensure crispy exterior and better flavor absorption.
• Choose fresh spinach and squeeze out excess moisture to prevent watery filling.
• Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother, easier mixing of cheese and spinach.
• Check chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to guarantee safe cooking without drying out meat.
• Experiment with additional herbs like basil or thyme for extra depth of flavor in the stuffing mixture.

Creative Combos For Cream Cheese And Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

• Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken: Replace spinach with sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Herb Garden Chicken: Swap spinach for fresh chopped basil, parsley, and chives, mixing with goat cheese for an aromatic herb-packed version.
• Bacon Jalapeño Popper Chicken: Incorporate crispy chopped bacon, diced jalapeños, and sharp cheddar cheese into the cream cheese filling for a spicy, rich alternative.
• Cajun Seafood Chicken: Mix cream cheese with cooked shrimp, diced bell peppers, and Cajun seasoning to create a seafood-inspired stuffed chicken breast.

Perfect Pairings For Cream Cheese And Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the rich, creamy chicken with its bright, zesty acidity and refreshing citrus notes.
• Complement with Fresh Salad: Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a peppery, light contrast to the hearty stuffed chicken, balancing the dish's creamy texture.
• Match with Roasted Vegetables: Herb-roasted asparagus or roasted Brussels sprouts add earthy, caramelized flavors that enhance the spinach and cheese filling's richness.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Warm, crusty sourdough or French bread helps soak up the delicious pan juices and adds a satisfying crunch to the meal.

How To Store Cream Cheese And Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

• Refrigerate: Store leftover stuffed chicken breasts in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days maximum.
• Freeze: Wrap individual chicken breasts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze up to 2 months for best quality and taste.
• Microwave Reheat: Place chicken on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, checking internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure food safety.
• Oven Reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, using meat thermometer to verify temperature.

Common Questions On Cream Cheese And Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

• Can I use frozen spinach for this recipe?

Yes, thaw frozen spinach completely and squeeze out excess moisture before mixing with cream cheese to prevent a watery filling.

• Is it necessary to use both mozzarella and cream cheese?

While both cheeses add different textures and flavors, you can substitute with one type of cheese if preferred. Cream cheese provides creaminess, and mozzarella adds a stretchy, melty quality.

• How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?

Butterfly the chicken breasts evenly, don’t overcook, and use an instant-read thermometer to check that internal temperature reaches 165°F. Letting the chicken rest after cooking helps retain moisture.

• Can I prepare these chicken breasts ahead of time?

You can prepare the stuffed chicken breasts up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate before cooking.

Cream Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken breasts filled with creamy cream cheese and tender spinach offer a delightful culinary experience that elevates weeknight dinners. Perfectly balanced flavors and simple ingredients make this dish a quick, satisfying meal you’ll want to add to your regular rotation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 chicken breasts

Main Filling:

• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 375°F (190°C) to ensure proper cooking temperature.
2. Carefully butterfly the chicken breasts, creating a pocket for filling, and generously season both interior and exterior with salt and pepper.
3. Create a vibrant filling by combining spinach, cream cheese, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl until well incorporated.
4. Evenly distribute the spinach-cheese mixture into the chicken breast pockets, carefully folding the top half over the filling and securing with toothpicks to prevent spillage.
5. Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat, allowing the pan to become hot before adding chicken.
6. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts until a golden-brown crust forms on each side, approximately 3-4 minutes per side, developing rich flavor and color.
7. Carefully transfer the skillet directly into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, ensuring the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature and the filling becomes hot and melted.
8. Remove from oven and allow the chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes, which helps redistribute the juices and maintain moisture before serving.

Notes

• Ensure chicken breasts are evenly butterflied for consistent cooking and attractive presentation.
• Mix cheese and spinach filling thoroughly to distribute flavors and create a creamy, uniform texture.
• Secure chicken with toothpicks carefully to prevent filling from leaking during cooking.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a golden-brown exterior and enhance browning.
• For a low-carb option, substitute mozzarella with a lighter cheese like feta or goat cheese.
• Avoid overcrowding the skillet to allow proper browning and prevent steaming the chicken.
• Check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety using a meat thermometer.
• Fresh spinach can be replaced with frozen spinach, but squeeze out excess moisture before mixing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg